his heart and mind told him he was a boy. 6-year-old ryan always knew he was a boy but he wasn't born that way. >> this is my sister. >> reporter: born a girl, he began to insist he was a boy as soon as he could speak. in an on-line video, parents jeff and hillary explain their family's journey. the seven-minute clip has gone viral with 3 million views and counting. after talking to professionals, they realized this was more thaj just a tomboy phase. they made the controversial decision to change their child's identity. they cut his hair, started to refer to ryland only as he and embraced him as their son. >> there are huge benefits to doing it early in life. they have been handed a gift so people see them for who they are. >> reporter: ryland thrived.