Writers Read presents Hillary Whittington

FALLBROOK – San Diego County author Hillary Whittington will discuss her book, “Raising Ryland: Our Story of Parenting a Transgender Child with No Strings Attached,” at the June 14 Writers Read at Fallbrook Library, 6 to 7:30 p.m.

“Raising Ryland,” part memoir and part instructive lessons, recounts her young son’s transition from female to male. Ryland declared himself a boy at age four. When his parents were able to accept it, they helped him begin transitioning, with a boy’s haircut, clothing and activities associated with boys. Whittington thoughtfully addresses the doubts, familial conflicts, and fears that arose from realizing that Ryland was born with the body of a girl and the heart and mind of a boy.

The public is invited to join a lively discussion with the author about a topic that is difficult for many, yet transgender issues are increasingly visible in the media.

Controversy continues to arise around the California law that allows public school students to choose restrooms, locker rooms and sports teams based on their gender identities, rather than their birth gender. In 2015, San Diego County lost four transgender or gender-nonconforming children to suicide, one of them a Fallbrook High School student subjected to persistent bullying.

Whittington addresses such issues, recounting the challenges her family has faced and offering practical advice for both family members and advocates.

“Raising Ryland” will be available at the event for sale and signing. The author’s presentation is preceded by open mic for original poetry and prose.

Fallbrook Library is located at 124 S. Mission. Writers Read at Fallbrook Library is a free monthly author series. For more information, contact Kit-Bacon Gressitt at (760) 522-1064.