Download Festival Responds to Trans Toilet Policy Backlash
In the last 24 hours, Download Festival has been caught under fire for its recent toilet policies, which revealed insensitive rules against the trans community.
The original statement expressed that the festival would be “following the interim guidance issued by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC).” Which, to anyone who doesn’t know, expresses the rule 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”.
Following its release, Download Festival has experienced an influx of complaints from festival fans, influencers and a range of artists. Including pop-punk group Pinkshift, alt singer NOAHFINNCE and British grunge quartet Witch Fever.
The festival has since come back to report a new statement, and has changed its tone entirely. The festival has now expressed that they stand with everyone and that “the majority of toilets will be gender neutral and available to all.”
The official update reads,
“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.
We want to reassure all of our customers that at Download, the majority of toilets will be gender neutral and available to all. There will also be single sex toilets provided. Download Festival has always been and remains for everyone.
We sincerely apologise that a previous communication on this was not clear. We are looking forward to seeing you at Download this year.”
In other Download news, the festival officially kicks off next month on June 13 – June 15, with Green Day, Korn and Sleep Token headlining. Though within its line-up, there are some other, and somewhat more exciting bands playing, including Meshuggah, Jinjer and Opeth, to name a few.
