Please join us at the GLBT History Museum for "The Last Decade in Transgender Activism" — a talk and book launch for the new edition of Julia Serano’s "Whipping Girl: A Transsexual Woman on Sexism and the Scapegoating of Femininity."
In 2007, when bisexual transgender activist and professional biologist Julia Serano first published "Whipping Girl," there was little-to-no mainstream coverage of trans lives or the issues that impact trans communities.
In this provocative manifesto, Serano r...
Please join us at the GLBT History Museum for "The Last Decade in Transgender Activism" — a talk and book launch for the new edition of Julia Serano’s "Whipping Girl: A Transsexual Woman on Sexism and the Scapegoating of Femininity."
In 2007, when bisexual transgender activist and professional biologist Julia Serano first published "Whipping Girl," there was little-to-no mainstream coverage of trans lives or the issues that impact trans communities.
In this provocative manifesto, Serano revealed the ways in which fear, suspicion and dismissiveness toward femininity shape our societal attitudes toward trans women and gender and sexuality as a whole.
To celebrate the release of the second edition of "Whipping Girl," Serano will read from the new preface and talk about the evolution of both trans people's circumstances and transgender activism since the early 2000s. A Q&A and discussion will follow.
"THE LAST DECADE OF TRANSGENDER ACTIVISM"
Thursday, March 10, 7 pm–9 pm
The GLBT History Museum
4127 18th St. (between Castro & Collingwood)
San Francisco
$5 suggested donation
FROM THE PUBLISHER
In this newly updated edition of "Whipping Girl: A Transsexual Woman on Sexism and the Scapegoating of Femininity" (Seal Press / March 8th, 2016 / $20.00 / 2nd Ed.), Julia Serano, transgender activist and professional biologist, uses her observations and experiences to examine how fear, suspicion, and dismissiveness dominate our societal views towards femininity.
In her eloquent and engaging voice, Serano illuminates the ways in which these assumptions about femininity alter our perceptions of gender, sexuality, and identity. This edition’s new preface familiarizes readers with the most recent struggles and victories of the trans community, and grounds Serano’s theories and objectives in the socio-political context of the late 90s and early 2000s.
"Whipping Girl" contains new perspectives for those well-versed in queer theory, while remaining conversational and accessible for readers new to gender identity politics. Serano's well-honed arguments and reputation as a thought-leader 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 deeply 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 today's feminists and transgender activists must work together to embrace and empower femininity—in all of its wondrous forms.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Julia Serano is a highly regarded writer and thinker on the subjects of gender, feminism, and LGBTQ issues. She is best known for her 2007 book "Whipping Girl: A Transsexual Woman on Sexism and the Scapegoating of Femininity," which garnered rave reviews—The Advocate placed it on their list of “Best Non-Fiction Transgender Books,” and readers of Ms. magazine ranked it #16 on their list of the “100 Best Non-Fiction Books of All Time.”
Serano’s writings have also appeared in numerous anthologies; in feminist, queer, and progressive magazines and websites (including Bitch magazine, Out, AlterNet.org, Ms. magazine’s blog, and Feministing.com); and are regularly used as teaching materials in gender studies, queer studies, psychology, and human sexuality courses in colleges across North America.
Serano’s background as a writer, performer, activist, and biologist (she has a PhD in biochemistry from Columbia University) makes her a unique voice on the subjects of gender and sexism. She has the rare gift of being able to present complex ideas from feminism and gender/queer theory, and to interweave them with her personal experiences as a bisexual trans woman, in a clear, compelling, and entertaining manner. www.juliaserano.com
ABOUT THE GLBT HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Often referred to as San Francisco's "queer Smithsonian," the GLBT Historical Society was founded in 1985. It is recognized internationally as a leader in the field of GLBT public history and is a registered 501(c)3 educational nonprofit organization.
The society's archives preserve one of the world's largest collections of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender historical material, including personal papers, organizational records, photographs, art and artifacts, ephemera and audiovisual recordings spanning more than a century of queer history. The materials are used by authors, curators, journalists, filmmakers, students and other researchers.
In addition, the society operates the GLBT History Museum, the first full-scale, stand-alone museum of its kind in the United States. Located in the heart of the historic Castro District of San Francisco, the museum offers historical and cultural exhibitions and presents panels, talks, film showings and other programs.
For more information on the GLBT Historical Society, including a calendar of events, visit www.glbthistory.org.