''The first way [to shift cultural connotations of femininity] is by not buying into masculinist presumptions about femininity. In feminism and in the queer community, there's a strong anti-feminine attitude. If you look at the gay male community, masculinity is praised, femininity is suspect. If you look at the lesbian community, masculinity is praised, femininity is suspect. We have to get that out of our heads. Whenever I hear a feminist argue that women are subordinating themselves to men when they dress up, to me it sounds like a slightly toned-down version of "women who dress provocatively are asking for it." It's the same argument.''

Transexual woman, Julia Serano, discussing some of the points behind her new book, ''Whipping Girl.'' (The Canadian)