'\-my Camp Trans Confronts Transphobia at Michigan Women’s Music Festival CAMP TRANS BRINGS TOGETHER TRANS I men, trans women, as well as non-trans allies into the struggle for trans-equality and the end of the Michigan Women's Music Festivals (MWMF) policy of excluding trans women. This year we’re sharpening our focus on ending the policy and organizing to fight transphobia in our local communities. In addition to activities and outreach with festival attendees, we are planning workshops, facilitated discussions and training oriented towards grassroots activism! Camp Trans, which began in 1992 after a trans- sexual woman was thrown out of MWMF because festival staff found out that she was transsexual, is an annual protest against the festival's policy that bars transsexual women from openly attend- - ing. MWMF‘s so-called “womyn-bom womyn“ policy sets a transphobic standard for women- only spaces across the country; and contributes to an environment in women’s and lesbian com- munities that discrimination against trans women is considered acceptable. These policies go against many of the tenets of feminism. Julia Serano, an Oakland-based writer, musician, and spoken word artist, who has writ- ten and spoken on the issue of the inclusion of trans women in women’s spaces, had this to say: “Policies that exclude trans women from wom- en’s spaces and events, such as the one enforced by the Michigan Womyn’s Music Festival, are not only anti-trans, but anti-feminist: They privilege trans women's appearances, socializations and the sex others naively assigned to us at birth over our persons, our minds and our abilities; they rampantly objectify trans women by reducing us to our body parts.” Rahne Alexander, songwriter and comic per- formance a.r1ist from Baltimore, also observes, “The exclusionary policy is something that has fragmented a portion of the community, leaving feminist trans women like myself to feel isolat- ed and endangered even within communities of feminists, lesbians and other women. To merely allow admission to trans women-who-have been. able to afford genital surgery is at the very least a classist position, and at worst a reliance on a het- eronormative understanding of - gender, medicine, and financial status." “These policies harm more thanjust trans wom- en,” says Lorraine Donaldson, the 2006 Strategy Co- ordinator for Camp Trans. “I think one thing that’s Very important about the protest aspect of_ Camp Trans is to recognize that excluding trans women from (the) festival hurts more than just the trans women It hurts other women who’d like to attend but don’t because they disagree with the policy. It hurts women who attend the festival without friends or lovers who can’t or won’t attend. It hurts womenwho feel guilty about attending while other Women can't. It hurts women at the festival who are deprived of the contributions of those women who Can't or won't attend. It hurts women’s communities that are divided over the issue. It hurts LGBT com- munities that are forced to choose between sup Dorting the MWMF and respecting trans women It hurts trans women, who come to feel that we have no place in communities that disrespect us, and it w hurts the communities that alienate trans women." Ryka Aoki de la Cruz, a Los Angeles based writer and performer, remains optimistic. “Even- tually, Michfest will change with the times or lose its relevance. I believe in the womyn’s movement, and trust that over all prejudices; eventually we come closer and closer to recognizing and cele- brating all wornyn,_regardless of color, economic, religious, or trans status. To Michfest, I say, get with the times, or get out of the way. In either case, though, where you closed your doors to me, Camp Trans, which began in 1992 after a transsexual woman was thrown out of the Michigan festival because staff found out that she was transsexual, is an annual protest against the festival's policy that bars transsexual women from openly attending. myzdoors will be open to you. Even estranged sis- ters are still family, even when it hurts.” This year, Camp 'h‘ans follows on the heels of momentous changes within society. Canada has begun to allow same"-gender marriages. The U.S. Supreme Court has found sodomy laws to be unconstitutional, no longer making people criminals just because they love someone of the same gender. In addition, more cities and states have passed legislation that protects’ trans men and trans women from discrimination. In-light of ‘ these events, MWMF policy of excluding trans women must be seen as backward as well as re- pressive. 'I‘ra:ns women who are able to enter are under the same “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people experience within the United States We should expect more from feminist and progres- sive spaces than mimicking the more repressive organizations within society that utilizes gender to oppress women and LGBT men and women.V Press release from Camp Trans. To learn more visit the website at camp-trans.org. AUGUST 2006 l out In the mountains ii 802.658.2202 - Puppy/Kitten Packages - Vaccines - Micro-chipping - Health Certificates - Geriatric Exams - Euthanasias - Multiple Pet Discounts Susan McMillan, DVM 0 Becky Roberts, Mgr. P.O. Box 5785 e Burlington, _VT At Vermont Women's Services: Cholqev you can _get an I Annual exams forwomen ofall ages appointment quickly I Evaluation and treatment of abnormal Pap tests. infections, and other gynecological concerns and our experienced and compassionate staff can answer your questions about contraception, menopause, natural health care options, I Surgical services for fibroids, endometriosis, and other conditions I Education and lrealrrimil options for perimenopausal and menopausal women _and more‘ I Urogynecologv " I independent naturopathic physician Vermont _ eoz-363-9oo1 WOIIIEIIS ChO1C€ 23 Mansfleld Ave, Burlington PERSONAL CONNECTIONS. PROFESSIONAL EXPERTISE. WWW-VtW°me"5Ch°lCe-W8 "One of the most romantic lesbian destinations on the planet." -Planet Out l since ma A Lesbian Paradlg highlandsinn-nh.com 0 Bethlehem, NH 877 LES-B-INN (537-2466) FROM THE ONNECTICUT RIV R TO THE CANADIAN BORDER REAL ESTATE INSURANCE 179 Main St., Derby 0 800-243-2401 (802) 766-2401 0 766-4731 (0 mick@realestatevermont.com realestatevermont.com to view our current listings ,_/v