Camp Trans

  Camp Trans: A Turning Point in Gender Inclusion and Activism

Camp Trans was a groundbreaking protest event and community gathering that emerged in the late 1990s. It was founded as a response to the exclusion of transgender women from the Michigan Womyn’s Music Festival (MWMF), which had adopted a “womyn-born-womyn” policy—restricting entry to cisgender women only.

Located just outside the festival grounds, Camp Trans became both a safe space and a political statement. It served as a visible challenge to exclusionary gender policies and a platform for open discussion about gender identity, trans inclusion, and feminist solidarity.

The Cultural and Political Impact of Camp Trans

Camp Trans was more than a protest—it was a cultural moment that reshaped conversations about gender within feminist and LGBTQ+ spaces. It brought attention to the experiences of transgender women and their right to inclusion in women-centered events.

By creating dialogue between activists, performers, and festivalgoers, Camp Trans laid the groundwork for a more inclusive understanding of gender. It also inspired a generation of activists who saw gender as fluid, intersectional, and deserving of equal respect.

Although both the Michigan Womyn’s Music Festival and Camp Trans have since ended, their legacy continues. Today, their story remains a powerful reminder of how activism, dialogue, and resistance can transform social movements from within.

  FAQ

What was the purpose of Camp Trans?
Camp Trans was organized to protest the exclusion of transgender women from the Michigan Womyn’s Music Festival, advocating for trans inclusion and gender equality within feminist spaces.

When did Camp Trans take place?
Camp Trans first took place in the late 1990s, running parallel to the Michigan Womyn’s Music Festival, and continued annually until the festival’s closure in 2015.

Who founded Camp Trans?
Camp Trans was initiated by transgender activists and allies, including Nancy Burkholder, whose removal from the festival in 1991 sparked widespread protest and inspired the creation of Camp Trans.

Why was Camp Trans significant in gender activism?
It played a crucial role in bringing trans rights into feminist discourse, challenging exclusionary definitions of womanhood and promoting intersectional understanding within the LGBTQ+ movement.

What is the legacy of Camp Trans today?
Camp Trans symbolizes the fight for trans inclusion and continues to influence gender activism. Its message of unity and equality remains central to contemporary feminist and LGBTQ+ advocacy.