Scroll To Top

Michfest

Read the latest news about the Michigan Womyn's Music Festival, also known as Michfest, MWMF, and the Original Womyn's Woodstock. Find out about this annual feminist music festival, established 1976 near Hart, Michigan, that is entirely staffed and attended by women. Discover controversy regarding this 'womyn born womyn'-only rule, which some have criticized for its refusal to allow for the entry of transgender women. Find out how bands like the Indigo Girls have ceased performing at Michfest in response to this rule.

Michfest-x400_0
Music

This Michfest Will Be the Last

The 40-year-old festival, the subject of controversy in recent years, 'is coming to a time of closure,' says its founder and organizer.

Hrc_michfestx400
Michfest

BREAKING: HRC Takes on MichFest

The Human Rights Campaign has weighed in on the trans-exclusionary 'womyn born womyn' intention of the Michigan Womyn's Music Festival, and festival organizers may not like what the national group has to say.

Laverne-cox-l-and-lea-delaria-r-x400
Arts & Entertainment

OITNB Star Joins Michfest Lineup

Lea DeLaria has joined the lineup for this year's Michigan Womyn's Music Festival, an event that explicitly forbids trans people, like her Orange Is The New Black costar Laverne Cox, from attending.

True
Guitar_photoscomx400
Riki Wilchins

Op-ed: Where 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Is Alive and Well

MichFest can do better.

Camp Trans
film

Trans Filmmakers Tell History of 'Camp Trans'

It's important to remember the moments and people who defined the transgender movement over the years, show these filmmakers.

Michfest-x400
Transgender

Michfest Has a Few Demands Of Its Own

With another festival come and gone, Michfest founder and organizer Lisa Vogel laid out a list of 'demands' she'd like her critics to meet.

Equality_michfestx400
Transgender

Michfest Petitioned By Statewide Group Over Exclusionary Policy

A perennial source of controversy, Michigan Womyn's Music Festival's 'womyn born womyn' intention comes under fire from one of the state's largest LGBT advocacy organizations.

Lisa_vogelx400
Arts & Entertainment

Michfest Urges Attendees to Rally Behind Its Performers

Michfest organizer Lisa Vogel clarifies that trans women aren't banned -- they just aren't wanted on the land.

Mich_indigo_girlsx400
Transgender

Is It Wrong to Perform at Michfest?

With the Michigan Womyn's Music Festival sticking by its policy against admitting openly transgender women, some performers distance themselves or keep quiet.

Women-camping-x400
Voices

Op-ed: Michfest's Founder Chose to Quit Rather Than Change

When mourning what was good about Michfest, blame its poor leadership for the loss.

Michigan-womyn-s-music-festival-x400_0
Music

Michfest Womyn and Trans Women Ask 'Why?'

A look behind the scenes at how this summer's 40th annual Michigan Womyn's Music Festival became its last.

Sarah-kate-ellis-and-kristen-henderson-x400
Voices

Op-ed: Why Antigone Rising and GLAAD's Leader Skip Michfest

While transgender women become increasingly visible, there is one place where the promise of shared womanhood does not include them.

Crystal-bowersox
Music

Crystal Bowersox Is Sticking With Michfest But Not Siding With It

The singer-songwriter tells The Advocate she opposes Michfest's intention to exclude trans women but will still headline the event.

Lea-delaria-x400
Arts & Entertainment

OINTB Star Withdraws From Michfest

Responding to Twitter questions about her decision to perform at the Michigan Womyn's Music Festival, which does not admit transgender women, out actor Lea DeLaria announced that she will not participate.

Hunter_valentinex400
Transgender

Hunter Valentine Cancels on MichFest Over Antitrans Policy

The long-running women-only music festival has been criticized over a policy that excludes transgender women and is viewed by some as transphobic.

Mich_leadx400
Women

Ladies, Are You Ready for Michfest?

Despite continuing controversy over the rights of transgender women to participate, lesbians around the globe will soon be descending on this international feminist music festival.