Sexed Up: How Society Sexualizes Us, and How We Can Fight Back

by Julia Serano

The author of landmark manifesto Whipping Girl exposes the violent ways we are all sexualized–then offers a bold path for resistance 

Feminists have long challenged the ways in which men tend to sexualize women. But pioneering activist, biologist, and trans woman Julia Serano argues that sexualization is a far more pervasive problem, as it’s something that we all do to other people, often without being aware of it. 

Why do we perceive men as sexual predators and women as sexual objects? Why are LGBTQ+ people stereotyped as being sexually indiscriminate and deceptive? Why are people of color still being hypersexualized? These stereotypes push minorities farther into the margins, and even the privileged are policed from transgressing, lest they also become targets. Many view sexualization as a mere component of sexism, racism, or queerphobia, but Serano argues that liberation from sexual violence comes through collectively confronting sexualization itself. 

Genres: Nonfiction, Feminism, Queer, LGBT, Politics, Sociology, Sexuality

10 pages, Audible Audio

First published May 17, 2022

About the author

Julia Serano is an Oakland, California-based writer, spoken word performer, activist, and biologist. She is the author of several award-winning books, including Whipping Girl, Excluded, and her debut novel 99 Erics. Julia's forthcoming book – Sexed Up: How Society Sexualizes Us, and How We Can Fight Back – will be released by Seal Press in May, 2022. Julia’s other writings have appeared in over twenty anthologies, in news and media outlets such as The New York Times, TIME, The Guardian, Salon, The Daily Beast, and Ms., and have been used as teaching materials in college courses across North America.

Reviews

[Charlie Anders · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just read this book, and I can tell it's already changed my life. Maybe it'll change yours too! Serano is such a calming, rational voice — but she takes a deep and thoughtful approach to sexuality, gender and consent. Serano presents a whole new framework for thinking about everything from sexual roles to street harassment to discrimination and stigma. She breaks down all of our entrenched debates over privilege, sexism, homophobia, transphobia and #MeToo, and offers a new way of thinking about all of this stuff. I'm going to be keeping her ideas about the Predator/Prey script and the "two buckets" that men and women are supposed to fit into for a long time. And the notion that some people (women, BIPOC people, queers, disabled people) are more likely to be "Marked" and thus sexualized helps to clarify things a lot for me. This is a totally necessary and mindblowing book, and I only wish it was required reading in schools and colleges. Most of all, Serano proves that she's one of the most indispensable feminist thinkers of the early 21st century. Highly highly recommended.

[agata · Rating 5 out of 5]

Julia Serano is a biologist who spent 17 years as a researcher in the field of genetics, developmental biology and evolution. She’s also an activist, a musician and a writer, most famously known for her collection of personal essays titled Whipping Girl. Serano is also a trans woman and that part of her identity gives her a unique perspective on the subject of her newest book.

Sexed Up is structured around Serano’s thoughts and observations about the way society sexualizes people, especially women and minorities. Having been brought up as a boy and presenting as male for a big part of her adulthood, Serano has experienced this problem, in a way, from both sides. When we think about sexualization, we usually think about catcalling, racy advertisements or music videos, maybe rape culture if we’re familiar with the concept. But Serano proves that this issue is so much bigger and it affects all of us in ways that we’re not always aware of - the “I’m tolerant, but why can’t they keep it behind the bedroom doors” sentiment towards queer people is one of the examples of how the LGBTQ+ community is being sexualized, when no one complains when it’s a straight couple holding hands. I loved how clearly Serano explains her theory and presents it in a way that makes it easy to see the connections - for example, the way society sees women as inferior, so we consider men wearing female clothing more sexual (and therefore less ‘good’) than women wearing male clothes. It’s a brilliant book that shows how important intersectionality is in feminism and how we can work together to change the way society treats these whose voices have been ignored for so long.

TLDR: Sexed Up is a powerful, informative and thought-provoking book about the mindsets that cause harm to so many of us and the route we can take to change that. A must read for anyone who considers themselves a feminist!

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

such a slay by julia serano… AGAIN!!

[Kara (Books.and.salt) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second time ever that a book has given me the urge to tab and take notes!! Im not usually one for note taking for fun, but I found this book so fascinating & I had SO many ~lightbulb moments~ throughout.

Serano has a unique perspective on how differently people treat men and woman, being a Trans woman who transitioned later in her life - and uses this experience along with her extensive education to break down hypersexualization from a sociological standpoint. In recent years, a lot of light has been shed on the hypersexualization of women but this book also highlights the issues with this problem in regard to men, people in the LBGTQ+ community, and people with disabilities.

This book was so eye opening & written in an engaging and enjoyable voice. I've already added the author's previous book, Whipping Girl, to my nonfiction TBR!

[Kab · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 There are a lot of training wheels and an unnecessary, iterative spelling out of harmful stereotypes particularly in chapter 7, but also some solid analogies and models, especially about unwanted attention (being marked as a spectacle), derivatization (being flattened to a projected single dimension), stigma, and contagion.

[Caris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m a very basic trans girl (I have an intellectual crush on Julia Serano).

[Ana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was great. Serano does a really good job of unpacking how sexualization works, how it impacts different genders in unique ways, and why nonconsensual sexualization is something we're all guilty of upholding. I wouldn't consider this an entry-level book, but it's definitely aimed to catch all kinds of readers: newcomers to gender theory and sexuality studies, long-time Serano fans, fellow feminist critics, etc.

I did feel like there was still more ground to cover, especially on the stigmatization of sex over violence through words such as "pervert," and how trans women are harshly sexualized in queer social spaces (ie trans women are often assumed to be instigators or perpetrators due to transmisogyny). I would have loved to see Serano explore more topics like sexualization in the public sphere and the ways whorephobia interacts with nonconsensual sexualization too. Just 100 more pages, and everything would have wrapped up together nicely. But there's a lot of solid ground already here, a lot of eye-opening conclusions, and this is overall just a really great book that's finally giving the feminist arguments around objectification and sexualization a closer look -- and a much-needed update.

[Ann Herrold · Rating 5 out of 5]

This might be one of the most important feminist pieces of philosophy to come out of the 21st century. While Serano's philosophy is simple that does not mean it is simple-minded. I believe philosophy has a long history of gumming theories up and making things more complicated than they need to be. Often the best theory is so simple but somehow it was hard to see through all the weeds of human perception. This is one of those times when the theory is so profound and yet clearly self-explanatory. Serano goes into detail (via her own valuable experience) how humans sexualize bodies via culture and how this has been largely unhelpful and harmful. I think one of the most profound observations she makes is that the anti-porn and the positive sex movements are really two sides of the same coin, responding to a society that stigmatizes female bodies with sex. Yet this problem, as Serano notes, is not a problem that female-bodied people have but a problem with the people perceiving the stigmas of the female-bodied people. I would highly recommend this book to everyone and anyone.

[Brittany · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was fine. It felt very introductory in nature; I was hoping for a more scientific/academic book aligned with what the titled suggests (it's more of a memoir with some light studies referenced here and there). Some of the argumentation and examples are extremely weak and/or wanting. The whole idea that she is or knows a feminist who does X, therefore X is feminist (an example given in a book is a feminist who participates in BDSM) is incredibly short-sighted and unconvincing unless you already agree that X is feminist prior to reading her argument (feminists have all sorts of backgrounds and experiences, and participate in all sorts of activities, some of which are at odds with each other. That does not make anything and everything feminist).

[Kazen]

An it's-not-you-it's-me DNF at 80 pages. Serano is bringing insight and modified frameworks for thinking about gender in the public sphere, but my brain isn't in the right place for the combo of memoir and academia at the moment.

[ross misson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book that I would want, but implore, every adult on earth to read.

Julia Serano encapsulates sexuality and the consistent issues, perceptions, and societal criticisms that we all face with it, perfectly. ‘Sexed Up’ explores across angles, views and backgrounds of all identities, and should give any reader a lot to reflect on and consider on the world around us – or even how we individually think and act without realising.

With how the world is politically right now, this only inspired me more to keep pushing and fighting for more positive change and reducing stigma and judgement from all individuals – especially within marginalised communities. This read often got me so riled up, purely form the behaviours and attitudes (e.g. the facts) mentioned across the chapters and how we aren’t often reflective enough as a society in general. It was honestly a nice reflection not only of having an affirmation to how I view these topics (very similar), but I loved how it also made me have further questions to research, study and explore at times too. It pushed me to develop my understanding and knowledge further, and wanting to seek out other opinions too.

I also genuinely believe this would be incredibly insightful for women who consistently question, or have curiosity, to the (somewhat often) behaviours of cis-gender straight men. I believe this book will help shed some educated light on this and in fairness: probably make you mad (in the absolute best way), yet help feel ‘seen’ and understood in such a male-centric driven world.

However, for anyone: If you truly want to break down key factors of ‘sex within society’, feminism, and misogyny within deeply well-researched cultural study with incredible writing: Buy this. Read it. Support the work of trans individuals.

No notes. One of the absolute best reads for me this year easily – an absolute highlight ⭐

[summer (oscar wilde’s version) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️ rounded up. read this on the recommendation of my favorite youtuber who references it in quite a few of her videos focused on sociology and popular culture. i think this book really shines in its disection of heteronormative binaries enforced in dating culture with the predator/prey model of relationships. serano does a great job of succinctly defining these issues and the role they play in our society as well as providing personal anecdotes that make her points especially understandable to her lgbtq+ audience. from the time i checked this book out from the library to the time i’ve finished it, i’ve realized a lot about my sexuality i’d never acknowledged before and it was great taking that journey with this book in tow, i don’t think i’ll ever be able to separate it from this time of my life and i’m sad to be returning it, but i know this book will always be in my mind as i continue researching the role sex plays in our culture and how to overcome that

[Kimik Gibson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish that I had had this book on hand through the earlier parts of my scientific career. It would have illuminated the bizarre and terrible rationales for why cis het men in my workplace bullied and gaslit me. I never understood how many sane person could assume that I was flirting with them. I dressed like a dude and had masculine interests. Clearly that not-even-sub-text would have clued them in. My bad for not comprehending the cis-het predator-prey mindsets that prevail in our society until maybe the past ten years. What a slap in the face.

This book was absolutely necessary and well written. The analogies used therein make sense and help guide the reader through the arguments that Serano makes. Thank you!

[Kaja ;] · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 Stars
This book went into a deep dive about a lot of different aspects. I also didn't know that the author was trans, but it was a great surprise, because she went into different perspectives and even minor things that changed when people started noticing she was a woman. She went way into sexualisation, more than I thought. She was really informative and had proof for her theories and explained everything really well.

[Marianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was really good. It's probably not quite as groundbreaking or eye-opening as Whipping Girl, but still very good and filled with important points. I really appreciate Julia Serano's skill for looking at old problems in new ways, providing a fresh analysis, and an approach to challenging them. She does this really well with the predator-prey mindset, which probably doesn't strike most readers as completely out-of-left-field, but puts together a lot of pre-existing analyses in a comprehensive and unique way.

[Lula · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m so grateful to have once found my way towards Julia Serano’s writing when I read Whipping girl. This is my second essay of hers and my mind has once again been blown. She is everything I’m looking for in an essayist. In a sea of people writing like their sole goal is to give out headaches, she’s the exact opposite of that.

The structure of her arguments, chapters, points made is delectable. She does a deep dive into a topic with a very clear path to guide you on, and she makes the seemingly complicated that academics love to make impossible to get, extremely easy to understand without ever falling into the trap of vulgarizing the subject at hand. It’s perfectly dosed. And there’s some kind of space between her words to find yourself, to look at the world around you and think about it differently. It takes these little blobs of thoughts you’ve had for a while without knowing how to name them and shapes them into something you can comprehend, talk about, question, reframe. It’s so fucking satisfying to read.

What I particularly love about it is that you’re never lost in this book, she doesn’t just talk about a key point of her argument and then that’s it, she makes references to previous points made as the chapters go on, without ever sounding redundant and gradually adds more to it always letting you know where she’s going. Which is extremely effective at not only remembering what was previously discussed, but it makes the content of the book something that you know you’ll later remember. It’s kinda like a secret teaching method incorporated into the recipe of the structure of the book and I find it super cool because it fits with how my brain can learn, retain and understand things. I feel like the scientist in Serano is what makes her writing so good in a way. And it’s not just a robotic structured formula she displays, there’s a lot of humor and wit that I love in the way she writes that keeps you invested.

The content of the book itself whilst in part focused on feminists grounds most people interested in this book would have knowledge of, manages to make you look at some stuff in a different light and digs deeper into them and around them. Sometimes I was skeptical of some parts of her argument, either because of my own personal opinions or experiences that were in contradiction with it, but those were small instances and most of the time the points she made were absolutely spot on and quite well nuanced and researched. It also managed to help me understand some ways of thinking about feminist topics I have different opinions on, which was really interesting as often you can know you don’t agree with someone but understanding where they’re coming from is a harder task and I think she’s brilliant at making sense of varied perspectives.

I dived into this book thinking there couldn’t be much I could be taught about the matter in question, as I already am pretty detached from social conventions when it comes to my own sexuality and still, I found myself learning and deconstructing a lot during the time I spent with this book, it proved me wrong big time.

It introduced me to many concepts I was not completely familiar with like the marked/unmarked mindset, how stigmatization works and how it applies to sexualization (and how one simple trait can socially « spoil » a person), which helped me understand things I already knew but didn’t know how to word, better. The digging into what the predator/prey mindset entails was also very interesting, even if already familiar from the work of video essayist, Contrapoints. The concept of derivatization however was new to me and it was very insightful.

I also really liked the overall idea that is centered in her writing that there’s no point in viewing things in one way only, or assuming how others feel or should feel because of how diverse the human experience is with every systemic issue. It allows a lot of room for opening your mind, looking at your « blind » spots and have more self awareness, and in the end it allows you to have more empathy for others and yourself. I felt this way about Whipping girl, and found this again here.

I’m also very glad I took my time reading this essay because it allowed me to think about what her words meant to me and expand on them with how it relates to my own life, and specific fights, in between reading sessions. I had a lot of small weird breakthroughs about things I’ve had a hard time understanding about myself during my time with this book. It’s incredible when words manage to shake your perspective this way and organize your brain whilst doing so.

I do however think that there were some specific points that would have made for a deeper perspective had they been dug a little more. For example I thought the queer as a three dollar bill chapter could have been a great occasion to expand on how all those shitty mindsets we subconsciously absorb do also create abuse in more than just the generic cishet couple. Even if it was slightly implied, and something you could deduce from other points made, I rarely see mention of this in feminist writings and felt it a bit lackluster to miss an occasion to really dig into this side of things to add some more nuance.

Something else I would have enjoyed a more detailed and nuanced view on is « sex negativity » that isn’t focused on solely the conservative feminists (oxymoron?) reproaches to sex positivity as there’s more to it than what the author wrote about and it’s important to consider to find that middle ground between the sexneg and sexpo movements she talks about. But I feel like this might have to do with generational experience on the author’s part that sometimes doesn’t always correctly depicts what the current feminist and queer views are at least in my age group which is something that I’ve found myself thinking with both essays I’ve read of hers. But it’s only natural that she’d have her own « blind » spots and she is aware that she isn’t ever-all-knowing which makes me not too upset about them.

Other than that I don’t have much to criticize about this essay, its slight imperfections don’t hinder on the very incredible work that’s been made writing this book and if I had to recommend reading about feminism this is definitely in the top 3 books I’d suggest as it’s both super pleasant and comprehensive to read and very well crafted and insightful. I think this one will definitely stay with me.

[Kathryn Carlson · Rating 5 out of 5]

julia serano is such an excellent writer. this is the second book of hers I’ve read and I was not disappointed. for my own sake I need to include the points I took away from the book so I can keep coming back to them.

binaries like the predator/prey mindset, marked/unmarked alongside sexual stigma were a through line in the book. I particular liked the term “derivatization” that she coined to express the idea of projecting sexual assumptions onto someone’s personhood due to their identity. this along with many other examples are the kinds of sexualizing biases we can work to undo in the efforts of making a more equitable sexual society.

the metaphor of going “off script” or “collaborating”/“improvising” with sexual situations was particularly helpful to me since I’m a musician ;)

it seems so simple, but a big reason why cat calling is uncool is because it’s just a weird thing to do to make random comments to someone you don’t know! and the meaning behind most clothing is just made up anyways! I love how serano can see and break things down so clearly and address all the pitfalls of movements such “anti-porn” or “sex-positive” thinkers. she sees the big picture.

anyway, I could talk about this book forever. I hope other people I know have read it so we can have a discussion.

[Chloe · Rating 5 out of 5]

read for a class but absolutely EVERYONE should read this. truly invaluable and has changed the way i view myself and the way i show up in the world and treat others. i'll definitely return to this book for guidance in my career, and i'm confident i will remember the many things i learned from this book for the rest of my life!!!

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sexed Up is an examination of sexualization that blends sociological, biological & psychological research with personal perspective. The core of its unique approach is the vantage point of the author, Julia Serano, a trans woman who is able to compare experiences while she was gendered as male with the experiences she has now, as well as those while she was transitioning and people she interacted with had less comfortable footing to rely on in our primarily binary way of looking at humans.

More than anything, this felt like a one stop shop delving into breaking down ingrained societal viewpoints and conditioning towards sexualization. Serano presents approaches that could yield a path forward -- I especially liked the "going off script" idea to the progression of a sexual relationship (or encounter). The work it will take to unlearn sexual stigma feels daunting as it relies on people to take ownership first of their own biases. We know many people are too sure of their own opinions to be open to alternate truths and, sadly, putting in work to undo a lifetime of learning can be more effort than someone wants to put in.

Serano doesn't claim to understand all the history and nuance that comes with being a cis woman. That is partially why, as a cis woman, I appreciate her observations through new eyes. The misogyny and misplaced motives behind street harassment (and any unwanted attention) is not news but feels validating when Serano brings it to the table (cut to me thinking: "See? It really IS this tough for women to just walk down the street"). I imagine trans and queer readers found similar familiarity with what was on the page.

In the initial chapters, as Serano lays out her experiences with people misgendering her when chatting at music clubs she was playing, it read as almost judgmental. While I believe the intent was to express these as observations and examples of how people are conditioned to sex one another from their limited "two filing cabinets", I couldn't help but see a bit of amusement that these people (some of them, her friends) were not able to correctly gender her as she identified at the time.

I did find myself zoning out a bit midway through the book. Unsure if my mind was getting bogged down in specifics. The back and forth between stigmatization and objectification made my head spin at one point. This is one I'll keep on my shelf for a re-read down the line but already have multiple friends wanting to borrow.

[Marqy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Julia Serano has a special way of explaining things that many of us have 'felt' or 'perceived' in our lives. When I read one of her books, I'm always amazed at her ability to call out social customs and taboo thoughts that most of us would rather shy away from or take for granted.

In "Sexed Up", Serano articulately explains the ridiculous double standards regarding sex/gender/sexuality that pervade our culture. Among those is the idea that in our society, the penis has a 'tainting' effect on those who desire it. In other words, gay men, straight trans/cis women, etc. are highly stigmatized groups in our society due to the fact that we've reduced these groups to a mere portion of who they are - their sexualities. Since men have historically held (and still hold) hegemonic power in our society, Serano concludes that the penis is viewed as an object that 'takes sex' from people, rendering those who have been, as she puts it, "f**ked" by one, as inherently weak, submissive, and a mere sexual object. This is a highly condensed version of Serano's argument, and one of many that struck me as particularly powerful.

I'm a gay man, but I cannot stress enough that this book is not just meant for LGBTQ folks. Anyone who is interested in how and why our society stigmatizes sexuality in all its forms should be reading this book, as there isn't anything quite like it.

Serano writes very frankly and honestly, leaving little room for ambiguity or doubt about her ideas. This style helps to make a book about such a complex and sometimes uncomfortable subject easier to read and understand. Approaching the topic of sexuality with the same frankness one would discuss a recipe from a cookbook is ironically enough the essence of Serano's main argument in this book - that we should work to aim all sex-related stigmas.

Sex, sexuality, and gender are parts of everyone's lives. It's time that we stop avoiding these subjects, abandon our "predator vs prey" mindset towards sex and dating, and stop stigmatizing those we view as "marked by sex". Once we do that, EVERYONE, including cis straight men and women, will find themselves in a world where they are no longer uncomfortable discussing or expressing sexuality.

[Nonniereads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy damn. This is one of those books where you just fly through because it's so good, and then you want to read it again, to imprint the details in your brain.
I loved the usage of analogies and Serano's own experience to visualize the theories and explanations to describe the phenomenon at hand.
But instead of only describing it, she does give tips and tricks to deal with the "sexed up" problem. I was a bit sceptical about that part because most of the time when authors put that in the title, it doesn't really live up to it.
I also really appreciated how the four frameworks were introduced throughout the chapters, and after that, she kept on using all four of the frameworks to explain more topics. But with all the frameworks, she had kept the idea of intersectionality in mind; explaining also how important it is to always keep that in mind.

I can greatly recommend this book!

[Pollyana · Rating 4 out of 5]

First Serano book, yippee! Although the book can feel a little 101 if you're already familiar with topics of feminism, sex positivity, and intersexuality, it nonetheless gives very useful frameworks breaking down how western society creates social scripts that we follow. My only complaint was that I was expecting a little bit more from the 'How We Can Fight Back' part of the book's subtitle, as it admits it's not really possible to wholly avoid sexualisation on the individual level and has to be something that's resolved systemically. Which fair enough, but felt like a bit of a cop out for making up a third of the subtitle XD, but I digress. I still very much recommend the book, and defs see myself referring to some of the frameworks it presented.

[Mateo Dk · Rating 3 out of 5]

this is mostly a me problem than i problem with the book (though, i do think the first half of the book would have been aided with more references and engagement with feminist theory from women of color) but i just expected something more groundbreaking or covering some unwalked territory, but a majority or maybe even all of it was something id read about somewhere else before albeit in different words. it wasn't anything i found in whole from one source though, and serano is eternally readable so this is still a good book but it just wasn't what i went into looking for unfortunately. i do disagree with some offhand remarks or assumptions that happen once in a while, mostly the lack of engagement with intersexism which feels like a huge oversight.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five stars, no notes. Exceedingly easy to read, this book can help to contextualize why our society is the way it is. The chapters on women "as sex" made perfect sense to me and closely mirrored my own understanding and experience of "why" certain men seemed passionately unable to see me as a human being. Catcalling is not and has never been about expressing genuine sexual interest, but more to serve as a constant reminder from innumerable male sources that women are constantly being judged and monitored for their adherence to correct femininity.

Did it melt my brain into a puddle and reform it stronger than before? No, but I've spent many years thinking deeply about these problems, and I have come to nearly all of the same conclusions. Still a good read.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very eye-opening book. Will change how you view sex, sexuality, dating, and sexualization. Author being trans brings a new perspective as she can glean from her experience when she was in the male "box" and now in the female "box." A lot of preconceived notions about sex and sexuality that we are socialized into that, when you look into it, does more harm than good. It was interesting to know about queer dating dynamics and how wildly different it is from hetero dating dynamics. It seems that it relies less on subtle scripts and seems more honest and direct. Learning about the Predator/Prey mindset and the Opposites mindset changed how I viewed dating dynamics.

[Paige McLoughlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Serano has been a good guide to the sexual politics of feminism, queerness, and trans positivity. She always cuts deep and to the heart of things be it trans and homophobia, misogyny and patriarchy and transmisogyny. Sexed up explores how marginalized groups are marked and often sexualized in terms of predation and deception in ways that often maintain gender or racial hierarchies. She always gets down to the roots at the deepest level of how these dynamics operate for women, queer and racial minorities. it is recommended like all her nonfiction.

[Jeff Wagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

While overall the author provides an insightful interpretation of the sexual scripts (Predator/Prey largely from cis-hetero spaces), stigma, and other aspects of sexualization, I thought the book could be improved with more clarity and depth of the author's framework and "how we can fight back". Granted the author reasonably states "this book would paint an incomplete picture"; however, I was really looking forward to a detailed and organized framework rather than a vague "going off-script". Overall, interesting and useful read with many personal anecdotes to enliven the material.

[Mandy · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF. I tried. I really really tried. Surely, though there is a more realistic and less offensive way to write a book and open a dialogue. This book is NOT for anyone earnestly looking to learn more about alternative POV. It's written purely to"rile up" and encute those with shared beliefs. I have better things to do with my time. We really need a zero rating here.

Also, was my book altered? Where are the references/resources? How do you write something like this without a single source, other than claiming yourself to be an expert?

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Serano provides a very readable and comprehensive pop activist survey of the causes and consequences of sexualization and its many harms (including street harassment, transphobia, and sexual assault), using the useful (if not wholly new) framing of sexual stigma to make sense of sexualization’s hierarchization effects, especially regarding people who present as feminine. Serano intersperses her points with tons of anecdotes from her own (very fascinating!) life, along with lots and lots of researched data. Really well done—I’m glad I read this!

[Allison Sylviadotter · Rating 1 out of 5]

Honestly, this is rudimentary and not well written. This is yet another instance of a male thinking that he's come up with something new, when in fact, he's just rehashing the same thing feminists have been saying for the last 50 years and added a bunch of faux "sex-positive" nonsense that of course benefits his fellow males. REAL sex positivity for women includes healthy relationships, safe and satisfying sex, regular orgasms, and no shame for liking satisfaction. Not something a male AGP would or could understand.