Endorsements
Endorsements for Two Spirits, One Heart - 2nd Edition
"Two Spirits, One Heart is honest and impactful, and I am immensely grateful to both Marsha and Aiden for sharing their personal journey with everyone. As Executive Director of PFLAG National—an organization focused on the journey of parents and families of LGBTQ+ people—I’m moved by Marsha's passion to make this world a better place for all people, and by her immense love for her trans child.”
- Brian K. Bond, Executive Director, PFLAG National
“We have dedicated our lives to bringing greater awareness and compassion to the LGBTQ+ community in order to eliminate violence and harm that so many experience. Marsha and Aiden's story will open your heart and illustrate the power of unconditional love and acceptance. Read it to be educated, be moved and be inspired to go out and make the world a little bit kinder…”
- Dennis and Judy Shepard, The Matthew Shepard Foundation
“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 of the LGBTQ Task Force
“This is Aiden Aizumi…Marsha shared her journey from fear and uncertainty to acceptance, support, and unconditional love of Aiden as he reconciled his gender identity…I recommend their co-written memoir Two Spirits, One Heart.”
- George Takei
“I often hear stories of rejection and heartbreak in our trans community. This is a story of a family finding their way and becoming more deeply connected in gratitude, hope and love.”
- Kris Hayashi, Executive Director, Transgender Law Center
“Marsha and Aiden have written a must-read book that has helped generate conversations around inclusion and the importance of support and allyship in the LGBTQ+ space. We would highly recommend providing copies for employees, especially for those active within Employee Resource Groups, as we have received endless positive feedback.”
- Emma Hamm & Joseph Pawlicki, Co-Heads of Out+Ally ERG at Subaru of America, Inc.
“Two Spirits, One Heart chronicles the transformational journey of a parent and child as pathfinders for a new generation of gender diverse children and adolescents who bravely live as their true selves. Guided by unconditional love and the language of the heart, Marsha and Aidan Aizumi forged a new path of family acceptance and affirmation at a time when few knew or understood gender transition in adolescents. They began their journey in the context of cultural, religious and family values and became transnational advocates who inspire us all.”
- Dr. Caitlin Ryan, Director, Family Acceptance Project, San Francisco State University
“Two Spirits, One Heart is a great read for any parent or young adult who is grappling with questions of identity, self, and duty. This book provides a warming insight into one mother's journey along with her transgender son from understanding to acceptance and provides hope for any young person who has parents on their own journey of love and healing.”
- Geoffrey Winder, Co-Executive Director, GSA Network (Genders & Sexualities Alliance Network)
"It is with profound appreciation that I recommend the Second Edition of Marsha and Aiden Aizumi’s book: “Two Spirits, One Heart.” I am grateful for their courage, wisdom and compassion, seminal values for our religious faith institutions, who ironically have had some oppressive policies toward LGBTQIA+ individuals. For those of us who are trying to change our faith communities to full inclusion of our LGBTQIA+ communities and individuals, we owe them a deep sense of gratitude for their visibility and voice which I believe is opening up hearts to embrace and celebrate all of God’s children."
- Bishop Grant Hagiya, Resident Bishop, California-Pacific Annual Conference , United Methodist Church
“Marsha Aizumi’s book is about finding her true voice as a mother and advocate for the LGBTQ+ community and sharing that voice to make the world safer for her son and the LGBTQ+ community. As a mother and now grandmother, I deeply respect her pure heart and voice and am grateful for her sharing their family's journey of discovery . . . . teaching us all the power of hope, faith and love.”
- June Kuramoto, Musician and Songwriter, Hiroshima
“At a time when resources on transgender people were sparse, Two Spirits, One Heart opened the door for many Asian and transgender people like myself to understand that we were not alone. This is a true story of gender exploration, self-discovery, acceptance, and support that parents and caregivers can learn from as well as transgender and Asian identified folks looking for resources they can connect to.. As someone who has been working with young LGBTQ+ students, our community needs more representation like this in our schools, libraries and curriculum.”
- a.t. furuya (they/them/theirs), Sr. Manager, GLSEN Youth Programs
“I encourage everyone to read Marsha and Aiden Aizumi’s book about supporting LGBTQ+ family members and friends. Her family story gives us important insights on how to better love and support others and keep the family circle together. Marsha and Aiden are two of my heroes. Every parent and local religious leader should read this book.”
- Richard Ostler, Member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Host of the podcast Listen, Learn and Love
Author of Listen, Learn and Love: Embracing LGBTQ Latter-day Saints
“You are invited to journey with Marsha and Aiden Aizumi as they face adversity, discover the power of being their true selves and emerge stronger, braver and more compassionate individuals. In the end, this is a love story between a mother and her son who walk through darkness together and find the power of their individual and collective light.”
- Linda and Sakaye Aratani
“When I first read Marsha Aizumi’s account of responding to her son’s transgender journey, I cried. I cried because she was brutally honest about her confusion and desperate love for her child. And I cried because so many people cast judgment and aspersions on families like Marsha’s without even having one conversation with a transgender person. Two Spirits, One Heart can prepare the uninitiated to have that conversation. I commend Marsha and Aiden for their desire to make the world safe for transgender people desiring to live in the fullness of who they are.”
- Naomi Hirahara, Award-winning Novelist and Social Historian
“An immensely readable memoir that draws strength from its intersectional lens: this book describes Aiden’s journey of being adopted, being Asian-American, being LGBT, being Christian, and being the child of a parent trying desperately to get it all right. Marsha Aizumi writes about Aiden’s transition with chilling honesty, and she incorporates his memories in a way that reveals both perspectives simultaneously. I cherish this book because through all of the trials and tribulations, one thing remains reassuringly constant: this family’s unconditional love for one another. The triumph of Marsha and Aiden’s mother-son relationship should inspire us all.”
- Jessica Herthel, Co-Author of I Am Jazz
“This book takes us on a wonderful and honest journey for API parents to love and accept their LGBTQ kids and for the young people to understand and be patient with their parents as they can learn and grow.”
- Glenn D. Magpantay, Former Executive Director National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance (NQAPIA)
“If the heart could sing, we would hear the melodies that flow through the pages of this book. The heartstrings of unconditional love between mother and child as narrated by Marsha and Aiden Aizumi inspire pride and courage, for their honesty and frankness leave little space for prejudice to survive.”
- Karen Umemoto, Ph.D., University of California, Los Angeles, Helen and Morgan Chu Chair, Asian American Studies Center
“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 & Alumni Program Director, Point Foundation
"Two Spirits, One Heart is honest and impactful, and I am immensely grateful to both Marsha and Aiden for sharing their personal journey with everyone. As Executive Director of PFLAG National—an organization focused on the journey of parents and families of LGBTQ+ people—I’m moved by Marsha's passion to make this world a better place for all people, and by her immense love for her trans child.”
- Brian K. Bond, Executive Director, PFLAG National
“We have dedicated our lives to bringing greater awareness and compassion to the LGBTQ+ community in order to eliminate violence and harm that so many experience. Marsha and Aiden's story will open your heart and illustrate the power of unconditional love and acceptance. Read it to be educated, be moved and be inspired to go out and make the world a little bit kinder…”
- Dennis and Judy Shepard, The Matthew Shepard Foundation
“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 of the LGBTQ Task Force
“This is Aiden Aizumi…Marsha shared her journey from fear and uncertainty to acceptance, support, and unconditional love of Aiden as he reconciled his gender identity…I recommend their co-written memoir Two Spirits, One Heart.”
- George Takei
“I often hear stories of rejection and heartbreak in our trans community. This is a story of a family finding their way and becoming more deeply connected in gratitude, hope and love.”
- Kris Hayashi, Executive Director, Transgender Law Center
“Marsha and Aiden have written a must-read book that has helped generate conversations around inclusion and the importance of support and allyship in the LGBTQ+ space. We would highly recommend providing copies for employees, especially for those active within Employee Resource Groups, as we have received endless positive feedback.”
- Emma Hamm & Joseph Pawlicki, Co-Heads of Out+Ally ERG at Subaru of America, Inc.
“Two Spirits, One Heart chronicles the transformational journey of a parent and child as pathfinders for a new generation of gender diverse children and adolescents who bravely live as their true selves. Guided by unconditional love and the language of the heart, Marsha and Aidan Aizumi forged a new path of family acceptance and affirmation at a time when few knew or understood gender transition in adolescents. They began their journey in the context of cultural, religious and family values and became transnational advocates who inspire us all.”
- Dr. Caitlin Ryan, Director, Family Acceptance Project, San Francisco State University
“Two Spirits, One Heart is a great read for any parent or young adult who is grappling with questions of identity, self, and duty. This book provides a warming insight into one mother's journey along with her transgender son from understanding to acceptance and provides hope for any young person who has parents on their own journey of love and healing.”
- Geoffrey Winder, Co-Executive Director, GSA Network (Genders & Sexualities Alliance Network)
"It is with profound appreciation that I recommend the Second Edition of Marsha and Aiden Aizumi’s book: “Two Spirits, One Heart.” I am grateful for their courage, wisdom and compassion, seminal values for our religious faith institutions, who ironically have had some oppressive policies toward LGBTQIA+ individuals. For those of us who are trying to change our faith communities to full inclusion of our LGBTQIA+ communities and individuals, we owe them a deep sense of gratitude for their visibility and voice which I believe is opening up hearts to embrace and celebrate all of God’s children."
- Bishop Grant Hagiya, Resident Bishop, California-Pacific Annual Conference , United Methodist Church
“Marsha Aizumi’s book is about finding her true voice as a mother and advocate for the LGBTQ+ community and sharing that voice to make the world safer for her son and the LGBTQ+ community. As a mother and now grandmother, I deeply respect her pure heart and voice and am grateful for her sharing their family's journey of discovery . . . . teaching us all the power of hope, faith and love.”
- June Kuramoto, Musician and Songwriter, Hiroshima
“At a time when resources on transgender people were sparse, Two Spirits, One Heart opened the door for many Asian and transgender people like myself to understand that we were not alone. This is a true story of gender exploration, self-discovery, acceptance, and support that parents and caregivers can learn from as well as transgender and Asian identified folks looking for resources they can connect to.. As someone who has been working with young LGBTQ+ students, our community needs more representation like this in our schools, libraries and curriculum.”
- a.t. furuya (they/them/theirs), Sr. Manager, GLSEN Youth Programs
“I encourage everyone to read Marsha and Aiden Aizumi’s book about supporting LGBTQ+ family members and friends. Her family story gives us important insights on how to better love and support others and keep the family circle together. Marsha and Aiden are two of my heroes. Every parent and local religious leader should read this book.”
- Richard Ostler, Member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Host of the podcast Listen, Learn and Love
Author of Listen, Learn and Love: Embracing LGBTQ Latter-day Saints
“You are invited to journey with Marsha and Aiden Aizumi as they face adversity, discover the power of being their true selves and emerge stronger, braver and more compassionate individuals. In the end, this is a love story between a mother and her son who walk through darkness together and find the power of their individual and collective light.”
- Linda and Sakaye Aratani
“When I first read Marsha Aizumi’s account of responding to her son’s transgender journey, I cried. I cried because she was brutally honest about her confusion and desperate love for her child. And I cried because so many people cast judgment and aspersions on families like Marsha’s without even having one conversation with a transgender person. Two Spirits, One Heart can prepare the uninitiated to have that conversation. I commend Marsha and Aiden for their desire to make the world safe for transgender people desiring to live in the fullness of who they are.”
- Naomi Hirahara, Award-winning Novelist and Social Historian
“An immensely readable memoir that draws strength from its intersectional lens: this book describes Aiden’s journey of being adopted, being Asian-American, being LGBT, being Christian, and being the child of a parent trying desperately to get it all right. Marsha Aizumi writes about Aiden’s transition with chilling honesty, and she incorporates his memories in a way that reveals both perspectives simultaneously. I cherish this book because through all of the trials and tribulations, one thing remains reassuringly constant: this family’s unconditional love for one another. The triumph of Marsha and Aiden’s mother-son relationship should inspire us all.”
- Jessica Herthel, Co-Author of I Am Jazz
“This book takes us on a wonderful and honest journey for API parents to love and accept their LGBTQ kids and for the young people to understand and be patient with their parents as they can learn and grow.”
- Glenn D. Magpantay, Former Executive Director National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance (NQAPIA)
“If the heart could sing, we would hear the melodies that flow through the pages of this book. The heartstrings of unconditional love between mother and child as narrated by Marsha and Aiden Aizumi inspire pride and courage, for their honesty and frankness leave little space for prejudice to survive.”
- Karen Umemoto, Ph.D., University of California, Los Angeles, Helen and Morgan Chu Chair, Asian American Studies Center
“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 & Alumni Program Director, Point Foundation
Endorsements for Two Spirits, One Heart - 1st Edition
“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
"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
“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
"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