Michigan Womyn's Music Festival: Difference between revisions
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Of the over 90 women-only festivals in the United States, MWMF is one of only two festivals with a [[women-born-women]] policy. Since its inception, MWMF has defined the festival as a separate space for "[[women]]-born-women," i.e. those women who were born and raised as girls and who currently identify as women. This controversial policy has gained notoriety for the festival, as it officially denies entry to [[transwomen]]. Supporters of this policy, including MWMF's primary organizers, believe that the particularity of women-born-women (WBW) experience (separate and apart from a woman's experience) comes from being born and raised in a female body, and see the festival as a celebration of that experience under the oppression of [[patriarchy]]. Supporters of the policy feel that transwomen have not had the experience of being born and raised female, and thus should not attend the festival. Opponents of the policy, including many [[transgender]] and [[transsexual]] women and allies, do not recognize the particularity of WBW experience and argue for a less deterministic understanding of gender, insisting that "women's space is for ''all'' women," regardless of whether one was raised as a male or female. These opponents view the policy as [[transphobia|transphobic]] and have created [[Camp Trans]], an annual protest camp, in response. |
Of the over 90 women-only festivals in the United States, MWMF is one of only two festivals with a [[women-born-women]] policy. Since its inception, MWMF has defined the festival as a separate space for "[[women]]-born-women," i.e. those women who were born and raised as girls and who currently identify as women. This controversial policy has gained notoriety for the festival, as it officially denies entry to [[transwomen]]. Supporters of this policy, including MWMF's primary organizers, believe that the particularity of women-born-women (WBW) experience (separate and apart from a woman's experience) comes from being born and raised in a female body, and see the festival as a celebration of that experience under the oppression of [[patriarchy]]. Supporters of the policy feel that transwomen have not had the experience of being born and raised female, and thus should not attend the festival. Opponents of the policy, including many [[transgender]] and [[transsexual]] women and allies, do not recognize the particularity of WBW experience and argue for a less deterministic understanding of gender, insisting that "women's space is for ''all'' women," regardless of whether one was raised as a male or female. These opponents view the policy as [[transphobia|transphobic]] and have created [[Camp Trans]], an annual protest camp, in response. |
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==See also== |
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*[[List of transgender-related topics]] |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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Revision as of 20:30, 30 January 2006
The Michigan Womyn's Music Festival (MWMF) is an international feminist music festival occurring every year in August in Michigan. It is mostly attended by lesbians and welcomes all women-born-women. Although the location is not a total secret, it is common courtesy not to mention it in order to protect the safety of the over 3,000 women who attend and those who voluntarily work at the festival for up to a month each year.
As a response to misogyny, sexism and homophobia, and also to create a space for women to gather in the midwest, MWMF was created in 1976 by 19-year-old Lisa Vogel, her sister Kristie, and Mary Kindig. All three were working-class women from Michigan who had seen female musicians and stage hands demeaned and repeatedly harassed at festivals and venues run by men. MWMF created a feminist alternative and response for lesbians in the music scene, and continues to create an annual space for living out lesbian feminist politics.
The festival has some of the best quality performances and creates a high tech production in a rural outdoor venue. Three stages feature an eclectic selection of women musicians. Tracy Chapman got her start playing to the festival audience and many singer-songwriters since then have built loyal followings across the USA because of their connection with the festival. For a festival that is now in its 30th year, it is also important to note that there is absolutely no corporate sponsorship. Each festival pays for the next, and the economy of the festival is amazingly self-sustaining.
Built over a month long period by a volunteer workforce, the festival land starts completely bare (even electrical boxes are buried at each year's end). After the week long festivities the workers tear down the entire operation, storing equipment in a variety of local warehouse space and leaving nothing on the land but a few flattened ferns.
The festival provides an amazing range of services to its attendees for one low inclusive price. Three vegetarian meals are served daily. There is safe space for women of colour, accesibility for differently-abled folks, childcare, health care and several categories of camping to suit most needs. Workshops, sports, movies under the stars, dances and concerts make this one week community vibrant and busy.
Women-born-women Policy: The exclusion of transgender women
Of the over 90 women-only festivals in the United States, MWMF is one of only two festivals with a women-born-women policy. Since its inception, MWMF has defined the festival as a separate space for "women-born-women," i.e. those women who were born and raised as girls and who currently identify as women. This controversial policy has gained notoriety for the festival, as it officially denies entry to transwomen. Supporters of this policy, including MWMF's primary organizers, believe that the particularity of women-born-women (WBW) experience (separate and apart from a woman's experience) comes from being born and raised in a female body, and see the festival as a celebration of that experience under the oppression of patriarchy. Supporters of the policy feel that transwomen have not had the experience of being born and raised female, and thus should not attend the festival. Opponents of the policy, including many transgender and transsexual women and allies, do not recognize the particularity of WBW experience and argue for a less deterministic understanding of gender, insisting that "women's space is for all women," regardless of whether one was raised as a male or female. These opponents view the policy as transphobic and have created Camp Trans, an annual protest camp, in response.