Jeff and Hillary Whittington welcomed a daughter named Ryland who was born deaf
By the time Ryland turned one and learned how to speak thanks to cochlear implants, she was telling her parents, 'I am a boy'
A year ago, the San Diego family embraced Ryland's transgender identity by cutting the child's hair and using male pronouns
Family received Inspiration Award during 6th annual Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast last week
When Jeff and Hillary Whittington, of San Diego, got the news in 2007 that they were having a daughter, the couple had no idea that in a few years' time they will be raising a son instead.
Last Thursday, the family were honored at the 6th annual Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast, accepting the Inspiration Award after presenting a stirring video showing their daughter Ryland's female-to-male transition.
The six-year-old dressed in a smart suit and tie, his hair cut short, stood next to a podium and read his prepared remarks from a sheet of paper, declaring to the audience:' My name is Ryland Whittington. I am transgender kid.'
Not long after learning to speak, Ryland declared to her parents: 'I am a boy.'
Even though the toddler lived in a room painted pink, sported long blonde hair and was dressed by her parents in girly outfits, she naturally gravitated toward everything masculine.
At first, Jeff Whittington, a former firefighter-turned-real estate agent, and his wife, ignored the signs, thinking that Ryland was just a tomboy, or that it was a phase that soon will pass.
But by the time Ryland turned five, she started actively rejecting everything feminine and soon was overwhelmed with a sense of shame.
'When the family dies, I will cut my hair so I could be a boy,' Ryland had told her parents on one occasion.
Another time, the child exclaimed in anguish: 'Why did god make me like this?'
The Whittingtons sought professional help and began researching the topic of childhood gender identity on their own.
There was only one obvious answer: their sweet little girl was transgender.
so inspiring
its really worth the whole read
source:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...just-FIVE.html
