Selenis Leyva and Marizol Leyva - Mi hermana

2020, Marizol Leyva, Selenis Leyva, Spanish,

"Mi hermana: Cómo la transición de una hermana nos cambió a ambas" is the Spanish language edition of "My Sister: How One Sibling's Transition Changed Us Both", co-written by two sisters: Selenis and Marizol Leyva.

Selenis Leyva is an award-winning American actress known for her roles as Gloria Mendoza in the Netflix hit series "Orange Is the New Black" and as Gabi Cañero in the Disney Plus original Diary of a Female President. In the book, Selenis describes how Marizol's transition changed their relationship.

Marizol Leyva is a transgender model, cook, and activist from the Bronx. She has been featured in a cooking segment for Telemundo's Adictivo TV and in many publications. Together with Selenis, she was awarded the Anti-Violence Project's 2016 Courage Award and the Stonewall Community Foundation's 2016 Vision Award for inspiring visibility, advocacy, and outspoken support for the transgender community.

When Orange Is the New Black and Diary of a Future President star Selenis Leyva was young, her hardworking parents brought a new foster child into their warm, loving family in the Bronx. Selenis was immediately smitten; she doted on the baby, who in turn looked up to Selenis and followed her everywhere. The little boy became part of the family. But later, the siblings realized that the child was struggling with their identity. As Marizol transitioned and fought to define herself, Selenis and the family wanted to help, but didn't always have the language to describe what Marizol was going through or the knowledge to help her thrive.

In My Sister, Selenis and Marizol narrate, in alternating chapters, their shared journey, challenges, and triumphs. They write honestly about the issues of violence, abuse, and discrimination that transgender people and women of color--and especially trans women of color--experience daily. And they are open about the messiness and confusion of fully realizing oneself and being properly affirmed by others, even those who love you. Profoundly moving and instructive, My Sister offers insight into the lives of two siblings learning to be their authentic selves. Ultimately, theirs is a story of hope, one that will resonate with and affirm those in the process of transitioning, watching a loved one transition, and anyone taking control of their gender or sexual identities.

Available via Amazon