Join Selenis and Marizol Leyva in conversation with Lea DeLaria to celebrate the release of My Sister.  Miami's Books and Books is the official bookseller for the event—get your copy here.

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.

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 Future President. In addition to her film and television credits, Selenis is an outspoken activist for LGBTQ+ rights. Together with Marizol, 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. She has been featured in publications such as the Huffington Post, Time magazine's Motto, People magazine's Latina Love Project Series, and Splinter. She lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram.

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 publications such as Cosmopolitan, Latina Magazine, Time magazine's Motto, and People magazine's Latina Love Project Series. 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. She lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram.

Lea DeLaria achieved overnight stardom with her three-time, SAG Award-winning, stand-out role as ‘Carrie ‘Big Boo’ Black’ in the Netflix hit series Orange is the New Black. DeLaria’s multi-faceted career as a comedian, actress and jazz musician has spanned decades. She’s received Obie & Theater World Awards, and a Drama Desk nomination for her portrayal as ‘Hildy’ in the Public Theatre’s revival of On The Town, an Ovation nomination for The Boys From Syracuse, and has played both Eddie & Dr. Scott in the gender-bending Broadway musical The Rocky Horror Show. Lea can currently be seen as ‘Queenie’ in HULU’s Reprisal, and as ‘Molly Yarnchopper’ in the Netflix and DreamWorks animated series Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts. Follow Lea on Twitter and Instagram @realleadelaria.

In Conversation: Selenis Leyva, Marizol Leyva & Lea DeLaria