A TRANSGENDER woman's autobiography has hit the shelves, and the LGBT activist from York is holding a launch event for the book at Beningbrough Hall this month.

Lisa Kelly, of Acomb, who is the co-chair of York LGBT Forum, will be at the National Trust property on August 11, from 12.30pm onwards to officially launch her autobiography, 'Becoming Lisa'.

In her book, she depicts the ups and downs of her life, from struggling to come to terms with who she was, to her transition and becoming the person she is today.

The 49-year-old will be giving a short talk in the great hall at Beningbrough about her experiences of being a sitter for her portrait by renowned artist Tanya Rabbe-Webber as part of the sitters and their stories season at Beningbrough Hall last year.

That portrait, named 'Lisa’s Freedom', now hangs at Beningbrough Hall and leads visitors into the ‘Making her mark: celebrating creative women’ exhibition as part of the National Trust’s ‘Women and Power’ programme.

After the short talk, Lisa will be speaking about the book and her experience of being part of sitters and their stories as well as signing copies of her book. She will be available to chat to throughout the afternoon.

The property will be open from 10.30am to 5pm. Entry is free to National Trust members or normal admission charges apply. For this weekend only, visitors with a York Pride wristband can enjoy a two for one entry offer.

Becoming Lisa is on sale at Waterstones, WH Smith's, Amazon and retailers can order copies in for customers.