Trans women and Michfest: An ethnophenomenology of attendees' experiences

Elizabeth A. McConnell, Charlynn A. Odahl-Ruan, Christine Kozlowski, Mona Shattell, Nathan R. Todd

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The rise of queer and transgender studies has greatly contributed to feminist and lesbian understandings of sex, gender, and sexuality and also has resulted in rifts, tensions, and border wars. One such tension is around the inclusion of trans women in women-only space, such as the Michigan Womyn's Music Festival (Michfest). In this ethnophenomenological study, we interviewed and surveyed 43 cisgender women who attended Michfest in 2013. Participants had a variety of perspectives on trans inclusion and on the dialogue surrounding it, and these paralleled intersections, frictions, and tensions between feminism, queer theory, and transgender studies.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)8-28
Number of pages21
JournalJournal of Lesbian Studies
Volume20
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2 2016

Keywords

  • Feminism
  • Michigan Womyn's Music Festival
  • cisgender
  • lesbian separatism
  • queer theory
  • transgender

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Gender Studies

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