Join Women of Beth Israel and Social Action for an inspiring evening as one family shares their journey in parenting a transgender child.

Hillary Whittington, author of RAISING RYLAND, will be joined her husband Jeff, as they tell their emotional and moving account of their experience, demonstrating both the resistance and support they encountered as they tried to erase the stigma surrounding the transgender world. After they discovered their daughter Ryland was deaf at age one and needed cochlear implants, the Whittington’s 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. From the earliest stages of deciphering Ryland through clothing choices to examining the difficult conversations that have marked every stage of Ryland’s transition

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.

RAISING RYLAND 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.

After the presentation, there will be an opportunity for an audience Q&A with the Whittington’s.
A dessert reception will follow.

Featuring:
Hillary Whittington, author of Raising Ryland and her husband Jeff Whittington.

Hosted by:
Women of Beth Israel & Social Action
Wednesday, April 25 | Registration 6:30 – Program 7:00 pm

No fee, but please RSVP below.