If you're just tuning in, please take a moment to read our statement about the project and what we hope to achieve. Also please take a moment to begin the interview process if you feel so inclined. The project is strengthened by every voice we add to ours!
Now, here's the update.
We just got back from Michigan Womyn's Music Festival. It was a pretty intense week, especially being involved with the issues surrounding inclusion of transwomen.
A little history for those who don't know about MWMF or aren't aware of the issues regarding transwomen:
MWMF was started in 1975 as a safe, women-only space. It is a week long festival, run entirely by women, most of whom are volunteers. There are musical perfomances, parties, a kitchen that serves 3 meals a day, a craft fair, and much more. (Read the MWMF overview of the Festival here.)
It is truly a magical place, and sacred to the women who attend. The question and debate that has risen in recent years is: Should transwomen be allowed on the land? The festival's policy currently stands that only women born women are allowed into the festival. However, there are FtM people who attend, as well as people who identify as genderqueer, people who use male and female pronouns interchangeably, and people who use only male pronouns. Many women feel that allowing transwomen in is a violation of the "womyn-only" space, and compromises the sense of safety that is sought at Michfest. Many other women feel that a "womyn-only" space should include anyone who identifies as a woman, lives as a woman, and wants to be included in and help cultivate the safe space created at MWMF.
There are many passionate opinions about this dilemma, and it's a discussion that needs to continue in order to come to a resolution that is all-inclusive.
If you know about this issue or have questions or opinions to share, we would like to open this space up as a place to discuss it in a positive, respectful way. Please comment! (We will, however, respectfully reserve the right to delete your post if it is hurtful. It's alright to disagree, just do it in a non-aggressive way, please.)
There are also extensive discussions on the MWMF forums, which are helpful if you would like to learn more about either side of the argument.
The other thing we'd like to share today is pictures! These are some of the works in progress. They are representations of interviewees, created out of the sculptor's mind, not from photos. They are her interpretations of you, the people who have shared themselves with us. If you are interested in having your story made into a sculpture, please start an interview! The link is here.
And now, some photos.
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