Bio — Hillary Whittington

Hillary Whittington was born in Oceanside, CA and grew up in a small town north of Temecula, CA. Upon graduation from high school she attended the University of California, San Diego, where she was awarded a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication and Theatre. While attending UCSD, she obtained three internships consisting of live radio broadcasting for Clear Channel Communications, news writing/weather producing for Fox News, and planning large-scale corporate events for LPL Financial Advising. After attending UCSD, Hillary went on to become a Territory Manager for Southern Wines & Spirits, followed by a position as the California Regional Manager for Sanuvox Technologies.

Upon the birth of her son, Ryland, Hillary took time away from her professional career to raise her child. Ryland’s diagnosis as deaf in 2009 further emphasized the need for her to remain at home and provide his necessary care and attention. Now a mother of two, Hillary has been advocating for her children for years, serving as a classroom volunteer, family mentor, and public speaker. Through Raising Ryland, she hopes to bring hope, strength, and humor to her experiences as the parent of a transgender child. In sharing her story, she encourages readers to have the courage to make the world a better place for all of us.

Hillary Whittington

Transgender child, This powerful, moving story—which has already touched more than seven million through a viral video created by the Whittington family—is a mother’s first-hand account of her emotional choice to embrace her transgender child.

When Hillary and Jeff Whittington posted a YouTube video chronicling their five-year-old son Ryland’s transition from girl to boy, they didn’t expect it to be greeted with such fervor. Beautiful and moving, the video documenting Hillary’s and Jeff’s love for their child instantly went viral and has been seen by more than seven million viewers since its posting in May 2014.

Now for the first time, they tell their story in full, offering an emotional and moving account of their journey alongside their exceptional child. After they discovered their daughter Ryland was deaf at age one and needed cochlear implants, the Whittingtons spent nearly four years successfully teaching Ryland to speak. But once Ryland gained the power of speech, it was time for them to listen as Ryland insisted, “I am a boy!” And listen they did. After learning that forty-one percent of people who identify as transgender attempt to take their own lives, Hillary and her husband Jeff made it their mission to support their child--no matter what.

From the earliest stages of deciphering Ryland through clothing choices to examining the difficult conversations that have marked every stage of Ryland’s transition, Hillary Whittington shares her experiences as a mother through it all, demonstrating both the resistance and support that their family has encountered as they try to erase the stigma surrounding the word “transgender.” In telling her family’s story, she hopes she can assist the world in accepting that even children as young as five, can have profound and impactful things to say and share. What emerges is a powerful story of unconditional love, accepting others for who they are, and doing what’s right, regardless of whether those around you understand it.

Mother of two, Hillary Whittington has advocated for her children for years, serving as a classroom volunteer, PTA leader, and public speaker. Her biggest aspiration is to make this world a more understanding place not only for her children but for everyone. Through Raising Ryland, Hillary hopes to bring hope, strength, and humor to her experiences as the parent of a transgender child. In sharing her story, she encourages readers to have the courage to make the world a better place for all of us.

transgender child, no strings attached, Ryland, Brynley, Harper Collins