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Whipping Girl
Whipping Girl: A Transsexual Woman on Sexism and the Scapegoating of Femininity | Julia Serano
A provocative manifesto, "Whipping Girl" tells the powerful story of Julia Serano, a transsexual woman whose supremely intelligent writing reflects her diverse background as a lesbian transgender activist and professional biologist. Serano shares her experiences and observations ? both pre- and post-transition ? to 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. Serano's well-honed arguments stem from her ability to bridge the gap between the often-disparate biological and social perspectives on gender. She exposes how deep-rooted the cultural belief is that femininity is frivolous, weak, and passive, and how this ?feminineOCO weakness exists only to attract and appease male desire. In addition to debunking popular misconceptions about transsexuality, Serano makes the case that today's feminists and transgender activist must work to embrace and empower femininity ? in all of its wondrous forms."
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E.Bolhafner

…transsexual bodies, identities, perspectives, and experiences are continuously required to be explained and inevitably remain open to interpretation. Ironic opening to cisgender privilege chapter given that Serrano constantly discusses nuances in language and terminology

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E.Bolhafner
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I am having a hard time adding photos --like they go sideways when I don't want them to but don't when I try to lol. Anyway interesting discussion in Whipping Girl re the emphasis and sensationalistic focus on transitioning process. She brings up the classism of attractiveness and I wonder how this chapter would change today after the proliferation of cosmetic surgery, Ozympic etc.

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Shievad
Pickpick

I found the sections on the impacts of fe/male hormones during the transition process very interesting. Overall I learned a lot from the author. Would like to read a similar book by a transgender man.

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jenniferw88
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Like @ChasingOm I haven't read that many #trans books, so I've tagged the one I'm most excited about.

#integrateyourshelf @Emilymdxn

Will tag the others in comments.

Found all of these from my shelves by checking Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/trans

See All 15 Comments
jenniferw88 4 tagged 4y
jenniferw88 11 I've actually read this one - I gave it 4 stars 4y
WhatWouldJaneDo I loved Orlando so much. I read This Book is Gay for a #readharder prompt during pride month (YA nonfiction); it was a good read but didn't focus a ton on the trans experience. 4y
Emilymdxn Some books here I really really want to read! I‘ve read the well of loneliness and it‘s really interesting seeing how it fits into trans literature and stuff now, when Radclyffe Hall lived kinda before words had been invented in the UK to describe the experience of being trans so the way they put it into words is so interesting. 4y
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CaseyTheCanadianLesbrarian
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#7Days7Books
Day 4
We present here seven books that will remain in our minds, because they touched us so much, changed us. No further comment!
#QueerBooks #LGBTQBooks #LGBTQ #TransBooks

batsy I learned a lot from this. 4y
CaseyTheCanadianLesbrarian @batsy Yes me too! It was very formative for me as a feminist. 4y
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2BR02B
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This one's been on my wishlist for ages. I've heard it's a must-read.

#kindledeal #transbooks #pridemonth

TheBookStacker Awesome! Thanks for pointing out! 6y
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keggergoldy
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Pickpick

So great!! I wish I'd read it years ago. It is now high on my list of recommended books on feminism, gender, and trans issues.

RaimeyGallant Welcome to Litsy! #LitsyWelcomeWagon 7y
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kerry
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👏👏👏 #sjbookclub

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theshrinkette
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A little late to the game, but totally here for this book. #SJBookClub

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kerry
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Just another rainy Tuesday morning over here. #sjbookclub

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kerry
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It's August, which means we're diving into our next Social Justice Book Club pick! Want to join in the discussions? Comment here with your email address or email me at ofabookworm@gmail.com and I'll send over an invite to our Slack. #SJBookClub

prowlix This one is so good! 7y
kerry @prowlix I'm so excited to get started! 7y
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HaphazardSE
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Pickpick

An incredibly important read for anyone who cares about trans issues.

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BookishMarginalia
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This is an even more important read now, on this day when Trump has banned transgender people from the military, summarily reversing --through Twitter no less-- the open policy finally in place. My heart is broken, and healthcare remains on the line. 😔😔😔

Balibee146 Terrible news...heartbreaking just about sums it up. 7y
Jennick2004 😮😱😡🤢 7y
NCNY I almost cried on the subway when I saw that. It's just so cruel and spiteful. 7y
See All 15 Comments
kspenmoll He is all that. 😱 7y
Libby1 😢 7y
Notafraidofwords It's terrible. I just can't even deal today. 7y
Mimi28 So many expletives come to my mind when I think of him. I have NEVER felt such anger towards a person before and I have been through a lot. 7y
Lcsmcat I don't know if I'm more 😡or more 💔 7y
ReadingEnvy I just... I have no more good words for anger. 7y
minkyb Sickening 7y
UwannaPublishme 😥😥😥 7y
RealBooks4ever This country is spinning backwards at lightspeed. 🤢 7y
SexyCajun 😢 7y
SexyCajun I will proudly read this one and advertise it to EVERYONE ❤️️ 7y
alisiakae I am so angry and frustrated that the thousands of transgender individuals currently serving in our armed forces had their lives and careers turned upside down this morning. All so that Trump could appeal to his far-right base. 7y
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mhillis
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Readathon progress update! Just finished part one of Whipping Girl, the next book for #sjbookclub
#24in48

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BookishMarginalia
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Currently listening to this #SJbookclub selection

TheLondonBookworm Sounds intriguing- do you have and recommendations for decent feminist fantasy lit? I'm writing an essay on the presentation of evil women in fantasy and I could use some help! 7y
rjsthumbelina @TheLondonBookworm I wrote a paper in undergrad about Disney princesses vs villains. How the female villains looked and sounded different from the princesses. It was fascinating to look at. Not to mention that they were often the only women standing up for themselves in those movies 7y
samesfoley This is such an amazing book!!! 7y
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theshrinkette
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Hey Littens! For those new to my space, I help @kerry host a Social Justice Book Club. We have a Slack group for discussions. We've been on hiatus for the past couple of months, and will be back in August! If you'd like to join us, drop your email in the comments and we will add you. Veterans, excited to chat again!

More deets here: https://theshrinkette.com/2017/07/08/social-justice-book-club-updates-and-august...

#SJBookClub

BookishMarginalia Signed up. Book acquired. Ready to go! 7y
LauraBeth I think I signed up but not sure 😔 my email is familyramos1209@gmail.com 7y
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HaphazardSE
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Started listening to the audio book of Whipping Girl by Julia Serano last night. It's read by Serano and I really like the way she talks.

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PixieDust
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New books for my tbr shelf

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JSW
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LeeannDunton
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Excited to read this book! Has anyone read it? I've been wanting to pick up a copy for ages, and one just became available on PBS. 👯

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prowlix
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"We should beware of any gender theory that makes the assumption that there is any one 'right' or 'natural' way to be gendered or to be sexual. Such theories are typically narcissistic in nature, as they merely reveal their designers' desire to cast themselves on top of the gender hierarchy."

#feminism #transgender #LGBTQ #WNDB ❤️????

Riveted_Reader_Melissa Sounds like a really interesting book! Adding it as my to-read 8y
prowlix @Riveted_Reader_Melissa it's so good! I've been doing a slow read but it seems like pretty important feminism read so far 8y
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prowlix
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Discussion of the media's constant obsession showing trans woman putting on makeup, heels and dresses - "This sexualization of trans women's motives for transitioning not only belittles trans women's female identifies, but encourages the objectification of women as a whole."

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prowlix
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🙌👏🙌👏

This brings to mind portions of the invasive Barbara Walter/Caitlyn Jenner interview and many like it!

Bibliogeekery Yes!!!! 8y
lovelybookshelf I get asked inappropriate questions about my trans spouse all.the.time. For some reason people don't really go to HER about it, mostly me. I'm glad to be the shield but, wow... 😐 8y
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prowlix
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Argument for femininity: "For when we do open ourselves up, whether it be by honestly communicating our thoughts and feelings or expressing our emotions, it is a daring act, one that takes more courage and inner strength than the alpha male facade of silence and stoicism."

Bibliogeekery Great quote!! 8y
literarymermaid Love this book! I hope you enjoy it. 8y
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prowlix
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"In a male-centered gender hierarchy, where it is assumed that men are better than women and that masculinity is superior to femininity, there is no greater perceived threat that the existence of trans women, who despite being born male and inheriting male privilege "choose" to be female instead."

lovelybookshelf I really need to read this. 8y
prowlix @lovelybookshelf it's very good and this is all just from the first essay 💗 8y
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prowlix
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"Others place is under their microscopes, dissect our lives, and assign motivations and desires to us tha validate their own theories and agendas regarding gender and sexuality."

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prowlix
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"...After all, it is downright sexist to reduce any woman (trans or otherwise) down to her mere body parts or to require her to live up to certain societally dictated ideals regarding her appearance."

I may be taking over your feed with quotes from this book as I slow read this. #sorrynotsorry #Feminism #Intersectional #TransFeminism

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prowlix
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If only every author of essays made such a statement in their preface acknowledging the holes in their knowledge! 🙌🙌

*Note this is from the second edition published almost 10 years after the first publication date.
#FeministReads #Feminism #Trans #LGBTQ

BookishFeminist This is such a good read. 8y
kgriffith Acknowledging privilege and raising awareness of intersectionality FTW 💜 8y
prowlix @BookishFeminist I'm pretty excited about it just from the preface and intro! 8y
prowlix @GlitterFemme it's so good! Why is it not more common! 8y
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prowlix
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Has anyone read this? It came up when I was looking for #LGBTQ as a recommendation on a BookTube channel. It looks fascinating and I've been looking for some more academic #FeministReads. I'm hoping to start it in a few days ❤️💛💚💙💜

#IntersectionalFeminism #Transgender #Feminism #Nonfiction

Bibliogeekery It's a classic! Enjoy! #transbooks 8y
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Baileythebookworm
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I am extremely honored that Julia Serano, author of Whipping Girl and Excluded, asked me to read and edit her upcoming book Outspoken. If you're interested in the history of trans activism, this book is one to preorder! Serano is an accessible, powerful writer, and her contribution to the conversation is an important one.

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RoxyWilde
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Pickpick

A very in depth view on transsexualism.