Download Festival responds after questions raised over trans toilets: ‘We stand with all members of our community’
The festival faced questions last night over plans to adhere to Equalities and Human Rights Commission guidance.
By Nick Reilly
Download Festival has responded after questions were raised surrounding trans people’s accessibility to the bathrooms at the 2025 festival.
The festival faced controversy yesterday (May 27) when British artist NOAHFINNCE claimed that the Leicestershire festival was adhering to government guidance that would stop trans people from using the toilet facilities that corresponded with their own gender identity.
A screenshot shared by NOAHFINNCE seemingly showed the festival’s response to an email which stated that it was looking to “promote the safety and comfort of all festival attendees including transgender and non-binary customers”, but would also be “following the interim guidance issued by the Equalities and Human Rights Commission (EHRC)”. The aforementioned EHRC 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.”
Now, Download has shared a statement with Rolling Stone UK, which states it will provide gender-neutral facilities.
“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,” the statement said.
“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.”
As well as NOAHFINNCE, Manchester band Witch Fever also spoke out and said the move would be a “threat to trans people’s safety” and a “fucking tragedy”.
NOAHFINNCE has since spoken out to say that they are working alongside the festival and their manager to “sort this out”.
They added: “They’ve reiterated that they won’t be policing toilets and that the customer service person should have never used that wording on the email. Expect a full statement from them soon x.”
It comes after the UK Supreme Court issued a ruling last month which said that the legal definition of a woman is based on biological sex under the Equality Act. In addition, the EHRC said this means that, in public spaces, trans women shouldn’t use women’s facilities.
The music industry later issued an open letter sharing their support for the trans community which was signed by the likes of Charli XCX, JADE and Billy Bragg.
Rolling Stone UK has contacted Download for further clarity on their statement.