Whipping Girl: A Transsexual Woman on Sexism and the Scapegoating of Femininity

In the updated second edition of Whipping Girl Julia Serano a transsexual woman whose supremely intelligent writing reflects her diverse background as a lesbian transgender activist and professional biologist shares her powerful experiences and observationsboth pre- and post-transitionto reveal the ways in which fear suspicion and dismissiveness toward femininity shape our societal attitudes toward trans women as well as gender and sexuality as a whole. Seranos well-honed arguments stem from her ability to bridge the gap between the often-disparate biological and social perspectives on gender. In this provocative manifesto she exposes how deep-rooted the cultural belief is that femininity is frivolous weak and passive and how this feminine weakness exists only to attract and appease male desire. In addition to debunking popular misconceptions about transsexuality Serano makes the case that todays feminists and transgender activists must work to embrace and empower femininityin all of its wondrous forms.