The biologist, performer and author Julia Serano is a leading transfeminist thinker and the author of “Whipping Girl,” which Jill Soloway, the creator of the Amazon series “Transparent,” cites as a major influence and the first book she gives to transgender friends, like Caitlyn Jenner.

Based on Ms. Serano’s experiences as a trans woman who transitioned in 2002, and deep engagement with feminist theory, her manifesto links transphobia with sexism and is a call to rethink attitudes toward femininity. She worked at the University of California, Berkeley, for 17 years doing postdoctoral research in genetics and evolutionary biology and is now a full-time writer and activist in Oakland. The following interview has been edited and condensed.

One of the main ideas “Whipping Girl” became known for is “trans-misogyny.” Please explain.

After I transitioned I experienced a combination of discrimination — for being a transgender person and also for being a woman. Trans-misogyny describes this complex interplay between transphobia and misogyny that trans women are faced with.

What’s an example?

Once in San Francisco I saw a trans woman dressed like an average feminine woman walk past a straight couple on the street. The man turned to the woman and sneered, “Did you see all that crap he’s wearing?” He was referring to her dress and jewelry and makeup and all that. If a trans man had walked by, they might also have ridiculed him for being transgender. But I doubt very much they would have made fun of his masculine clothing.