Aiden Aizumi

Aiden Aizumi is a transgender activist and co-author of Two Spirits, One Heart.

Early life and education

Aiden Takeo Aizumi was born in Japan on May 24, 1988 and adopted by Tad and Marsha Aizumi.[1] Aiden was assigned female at birth. He was worried about coming out to his Christian family, but felt that they would ultimately support them.[1] Aizumi came out as a lesbian when he was 15 and felt that 20 to 30 percent of the school were "upset about him coming out."[2] He often dealt with panic attacks and had also struggled with depression and anxiety.[2] Later in 2008, Aiden came out as transgender and expressed his desire to transition to male. His transition included taking testosterone and a mastectomy.[1]

He graduated from Arcadia High School in 2006. Aiden is an Educational Studies major at the University of La Verne (ULV).[3] He has spoken publicly at ULV about transgender issues.[4]

Trans* advocacy

Aiden is an active member and advocate for the LGBT community. Due to his own experience with harassment during high school, Aiden and his mother, Marsha, have helped bring high school diploma programs to LGBT youth who have experienced harassment and bullying.[5]

He is a board member of the PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) National Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Advisory Board and Executive Board of Pasadena PFLAG. He also previously served on The Trevor Project Youth Advisory Council.[6] Aizumi and his mother were panelists at the first LGBT Japanese-American conference at San Jose State University in 2016.[7]

Published work

Aiden and his mother, Marsha Aizumi, co-authored a book titled, Two Spirits, One Heart, detailing his transgender experience. They have also spoken at numerous conferences, schools, and events to raise awareness about their book.[8]

Honors and awards

Aiden was awarded the Higher Education Grant from PFLAG Pasadena in 2013 and 2014. Earlier in 2010, he was honored with the Paul A. Anderson Youth Leader Award from the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force in Dallas, Texas.[6]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Nakamura, Ryoko (3 October 2012). "From Fear and Confusion to Love and Acceptance". Rafu Shimpo. Retrieved 23 August 2016.
  2. 1 2 Yarbrough, Beau (27 December 2013). "Gay Arcadia Teen Comes Out - Twice". San Gabriel Valley Tribune. Retrieved 23 August 2016.
  3. ↑ "Marsha Aizumi". Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  4. ↑ Carranza, Bernarda; Arase, Helen (23 May 2014). "ULV Re-Evaluates Gender Identity". Campus Times. Retrieved 23 August 2016.
  5. ↑ Santa Cruz, Nicole (February 11, 2010). "A harassment-free school opens in L.A.". Los Angeles Times. LA Times. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  6. 1 2 "LGBT Youth Leaders the Focus of Saturday's Plenary". National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. 6 February 2010. Retrieved 23 August 2016.
  7. ↑ Cassell, Heather (14 April 2016). "LGBT Japanese Gather for Bay Area Conference". The Bay Area Reporter. Retrieved 23 August 2016.
  8. ↑ Heffernan, Dani. "Marsha and Aiden Aizumi Speak about Family and LGBT Youth Advocacy". GLAAD. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
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