Two Spirits, One Heart: A Mother, Her Transgender Son, and Their Journey to Love and Acceptance
Marsha is an educator, motivational speaker, and advocate for the LGBT community, a cause she embraced due in large part to the harassment and bullying her son experienced throughout high school. Marsha partnered with the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center’s LifeWorks program and Opportunities for Learning Public Charter Schools in order to help bring a safe and nurturing high school diploma program to students who face bullying at their local high schools. Marsha also serves on the Parents, Families, and Friends for Lesbians and Gays(PFLAG) National Board of Directors. In this role, she hopes to change school culture to be more accepting of all students, as well as bring greater resources to the Asian Pacific Islander and transgender communities. You can visit Marsha online at www.marshaaizumi.com Aiden Takeo Aizumi was born in Japan on May 24, 1988. Adopted by Tad and Marsha Aizumi, who named their baby Ashley Akemi Aizumi, he lived as a female for the first twenty years of his life. Coming out as a lesbian in high school, he experienced bullying and harassment almost daily and was diagnosed agoraphobic with panic attacks. Unable to attend school due to his agoraphobia, Aiden barely finished high school. Transitioning to male, however, Aiden blossomed into a committed activist. In 2010, he was honored as a youth leader with the Paul A. Anderson award from the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. He has served on The Trevor Project Youth Advisory Council. Aiden currently attends college and is interested in pursuing a bachelor’s degree in social work or education.