Lush ends Download festival partnership after trans toilet controversy
After a recent controversy, which saw Download festival initially stating that trans women and trans men were not allowed to use the relevant toilet for their gender, beauty brand Lush has terminated their partnership.
The controversy first began on May 27th, when artist NOAHFINNCE posted a screenshot of the festival’s policy on bathrooms, writing: “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 revealed that the festival stated that they would 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’.”
In response to extreme online backlash, Download in turn released a statement insisting that “the majority of toilets across the site will be gender-neutral and will cater to everyone.” Many fans of the festival believed their statement fell short of what the festival owed to their community to ensure paramount safety and consideration.
Since the controversy first circulated, a fan contacted the customer service team to enquire further about the issue. The email in response stated: “We are terminating our collaboration with this event so will no longer be participating.”
Cementing the termination, the links on both the Lush and Download websites announcing the collaboration now only show error codes. Lush has a history of partnering with trans-led organisations, such as ‘My Genderation’, to support the community. Neither organisation has released a statement about the termination.
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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