Endorsements
Endorsements for Two Spirits, One Heart
"This is one mother's poignant journey of discovery and unconditional acceptance of her son. Marsha and Aiden's moving story of confronting and overcoming fear – and of the love and deeper bond that emerge between a mother and her son because of that profound journey – shows how all families can accept each other's humanity. I was deeply inspired by the honesty, awareness and healing found in these pages."
— Rea Carey, Executive Director, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
“Two Spirits, One Heart is a beautiful story of love, discovery and acceptance from a courageous and dedicated mother.”
— Steven Krantz, Director, Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG)
Southern Pacific Region and National Board Member
“Two Spirits, One Heart is a powerful account of a mother’s love during the transition of her daughter’s sexual transformation into a beloved son. This marvelously written autobiography captures the personal anguish and triumphs of their journey together and allows the reader to experience and understand the bravery, pain and acceptance gender change requires. Thank you, Marsha, you touched my heart.”
— Karen Jorgensen Burstein, Author of What a Woman Wants and Pay for Results
“Since I met Marsha, I have been astounded by the love she feels for Aiden. I can only think how fortunate Aiden’s spirits are to have a mother that so nurtured them and instilled the courage to be himself. They are beautiful together, their family is beautiful, and this book is so important at a time of such polarization in our society around identity. I wish this were required reading for every parent as it is a roadmap to acceptance, compassion, and unconditional love for one’s child no matter who or what they turn out to be.”
— Michael Ferrera, Director of LifeWorks at the L.A. Gay and Lesbian Center
"This is Marsha and Aiden's courageous story of inspiration, tenacity and hope. It provided us with a deeper understanding about the spirit of a boy who never gave up and a mother whose unwavering love and acceptance provided the ability for that spirit to take flight. This book also illustrates the passion it takes to find your way and the compassion it takes to support that journey."
— John and Joan Hall, Founders, Opportunities for Learning Public Charter Schools
"Marsha Aizumi's Two Spirits, One Heart is a moving memoir of facing one's fears while traveling down unknown, fearsome paths. We recommend this book to all parents. Each of us can enrich our lives by learning about this remarkable story of courage, fear, and understanding. This author's eloquence allowed us to share in her great adventure by walking in her shoes with her son, Aiden. You will experience, as we did, her triumphs and tears."
— Harold and Ellen Kameya
Founders, L.A. Asian Pacific Islander Parents Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays
“All too often, we see appalling cases of LGBTQ youth who suffer immensely because they have been marginalized or rejected by their own family members. Marsha’s personal account of providing unconditional love and support to her trans son before, during and after his transition is truly inspiring. A must read for any loving parent who is struggling with the gender identity or sexual orientation of their own child.”
— Darrin Wilstead, Mentoring and Alumni Program Director, Point Foundation
"It's not a story about losing a daughter or gaining a son; It's about a mother's unconditional love and acceptance of her child. It's about a mother and child's journey together towards understanding and embracing truth beyond society's boundaries and expectations regarding gender identity and expression. It will make you feel empowered to be yourself, to be an ally, and to be a supportive mother, father, parent or guardian to your transgender child who is most importantly, still your child."
— Phoenix Schneider, MSW, Mentor, Activist, Program Director with The Trevor Project
"Two Spirits, One Heart is an honest and open look into a mother's heart and mind on the journey with her child's transition from female to male. Marsha and Aiden's story is one of struggle, compassion and the real meaning of unconditional love."
— Terry Stone, Executive Director, Centerlink: The Community of LGBT Centers
"As a physician, I was so deeply moved by Aiden's "coming out" letter to his family and friends that I asked his permission to share it with another patient unable to express himself so elegantly. As a mother, I was once again moved to tears by the eloquence of Marsha's raw emotions and unconditional love for her son. This is an inspirational book that should be mandatory reading for all high school, college and medical students."
— M. Kathleen Jones, M.D.
"Marsha Aizumi's candid account of her journey toward acceptance and eventual celebration of her transgender child is a spiritual odyssey that has universal resonance. It is one that speaks to the human desire for wholeness and authenticity. Her story poignantly illustrates the spiritual wisdom that beyond the labels "lesbian," "FTM," and "Asian" lies a child that longs for the unconditional love of a mother."
— Rev. Dr. Jonipher Kwong, Pastor of First Unitarian Church of Honolulu, HI
"This is one mother's poignant journey of discovery and unconditional acceptance of her son. Marsha and Aiden's moving story of confronting and overcoming fear – and of the love and deeper bond that emerge between a mother and her son because of that profound journey – shows how all families can accept each other's humanity. I was deeply inspired by the honesty, awareness and healing found in these pages."
— Rea Carey, Executive Director, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
“Two Spirits, One Heart is a beautiful story of love, discovery and acceptance from a courageous and dedicated mother.”
— Steven Krantz, Director, Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG)
Southern Pacific Region and National Board Member
“Two Spirits, One Heart is a powerful account of a mother’s love during the transition of her daughter’s sexual transformation into a beloved son. This marvelously written autobiography captures the personal anguish and triumphs of their journey together and allows the reader to experience and understand the bravery, pain and acceptance gender change requires. Thank you, Marsha, you touched my heart.”
— Karen Jorgensen Burstein, Author of What a Woman Wants and Pay for Results
“Since I met Marsha, I have been astounded by the love she feels for Aiden. I can only think how fortunate Aiden’s spirits are to have a mother that so nurtured them and instilled the courage to be himself. They are beautiful together, their family is beautiful, and this book is so important at a time of such polarization in our society around identity. I wish this were required reading for every parent as it is a roadmap to acceptance, compassion, and unconditional love for one’s child no matter who or what they turn out to be.”
— Michael Ferrera, Director of LifeWorks at the L.A. Gay and Lesbian Center
"This is Marsha and Aiden's courageous story of inspiration, tenacity and hope. It provided us with a deeper understanding about the spirit of a boy who never gave up and a mother whose unwavering love and acceptance provided the ability for that spirit to take flight. This book also illustrates the passion it takes to find your way and the compassion it takes to support that journey."
— John and Joan Hall, Founders, Opportunities for Learning Public Charter Schools
"Marsha Aizumi's Two Spirits, One Heart is a moving memoir of facing one's fears while traveling down unknown, fearsome paths. We recommend this book to all parents. Each of us can enrich our lives by learning about this remarkable story of courage, fear, and understanding. This author's eloquence allowed us to share in her great adventure by walking in her shoes with her son, Aiden. You will experience, as we did, her triumphs and tears."
— Harold and Ellen Kameya
Founders, L.A. Asian Pacific Islander Parents Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays
“All too often, we see appalling cases of LGBTQ youth who suffer immensely because they have been marginalized or rejected by their own family members. Marsha’s personal account of providing unconditional love and support to her trans son before, during and after his transition is truly inspiring. A must read for any loving parent who is struggling with the gender identity or sexual orientation of their own child.”
— Darrin Wilstead, Mentoring and Alumni Program Director, Point Foundation
"It's not a story about losing a daughter or gaining a son; It's about a mother's unconditional love and acceptance of her child. It's about a mother and child's journey together towards understanding and embracing truth beyond society's boundaries and expectations regarding gender identity and expression. It will make you feel empowered to be yourself, to be an ally, and to be a supportive mother, father, parent or guardian to your transgender child who is most importantly, still your child."
— Phoenix Schneider, MSW, Mentor, Activist, Program Director with The Trevor Project
"Two Spirits, One Heart is an honest and open look into a mother's heart and mind on the journey with her child's transition from female to male. Marsha and Aiden's story is one of struggle, compassion and the real meaning of unconditional love."
— Terry Stone, Executive Director, Centerlink: The Community of LGBT Centers
"As a physician, I was so deeply moved by Aiden's "coming out" letter to his family and friends that I asked his permission to share it with another patient unable to express himself so elegantly. As a mother, I was once again moved to tears by the eloquence of Marsha's raw emotions and unconditional love for her son. This is an inspirational book that should be mandatory reading for all high school, college and medical students."
— M. Kathleen Jones, M.D.
"Marsha Aizumi's candid account of her journey toward acceptance and eventual celebration of her transgender child is a spiritual odyssey that has universal resonance. It is one that speaks to the human desire for wholeness and authenticity. Her story poignantly illustrates the spiritual wisdom that beyond the labels "lesbian," "FTM," and "Asian" lies a child that longs for the unconditional love of a mother."
— Rev. Dr. Jonipher Kwong, Pastor of First Unitarian Church of Honolulu, HI