Download festival to provide gender neutral toilets after trans bathroom controversy
Download festival have confirmed that they will be providing gender neutral toilets in light of a recent controversy surrounding their trans bathroom policy.
The controversy first began on May 27th, when artist NOAHFINNCE posted a screenshot of the festival’s policy on bathrooms. Atop the screenshot, the musician tagged the festival, and wrote: “What the fuck are you doing. How have you got the gall to invite trans people like me to play your festival and then ban them from using the toilet? If the only way we can piss is by outing ourselves then you’ve created an unsafe environment…”
The screenshot showed that their policy first reads: “We are proud of the reputation the Download community has in terms of diversity, and will always look to promote the safety and comfort of all festival attendees, including transgender and non-binary customers.”
However, it goes on to explain that: “We will be following the interim guidance issued by the Equalities and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) on 25 April 2025 here. Their guidance states that ‘trans women (biological men) should not be permitted to use the women’s facilities and trans men (biological women) should not be permitted to use the men’s facilities’”.
NOAHFINNCE, who publicly came out as a trans man in 2017, refused to attend if he were forced to use the ladies’ bathroom. Since the backlash, Download issued a statement with NME, insisting: “The majority of toilets across the site will be gender-neutral and will cater to everyone. Download values every single member of its wonderful community and wants everyone to feel safe, supported and welcome at the festival.”
The statement stressed that “Download Festival has always been and remains for everyone. At the heart of Download is acceptance – we stand with all members of our community and want everyone to feel safe, supported and welcome at the festival.”
Many other musicians, such as Witch Fever and Pinkshift had added that their original rules were “crazy and so unsafe.” This will be a welcome update to the festival’s community.
The festival will take place at Donington Park from June 13th to 15th. First-time headliners Green Day, KoRn and Sleep Token will be joined by the likes of Weezer, Sex Pistols, Jimmy Eat World, and more.
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