Download Festival have released a statement clarifying their stance on trans toilet use, after controversy and backlash from various voices in the music community.
Following the fallout from their statement on toileting, which many deemed discriminatory to trans people, Download have released another statement. This time, reassuring concertgoers that there will be safe, accessible toilets for all – with gender neutral toilets provided as well as single sex toilets.
We stand with all members of our community and want everyone to feel safe, supported and welcome at Download pic.twitter.com/TSMIhZFLJZ
— Download Festival (@DownloadFest) May 28, 2025
“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 reads. “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.”
On May 27, the festival announced that they would be “following the interim guidance issued by the Equalities and Human Rights Commission (EHRC)” which 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”.
This statement sparked anger amongst many, including artists on their bill, such as NOAHFINNCE, Pinkshift and Witch Fever, who called out the festival one social media.
On X, NOAHFINNCE shared his concern for the safety of trans concertgoers, posting: ‘I had a great time playing last year but will not be attending again if I have to queue up for the ladies’ and my trans sisters have to risk outing themselves in the men’s. All this does is put trans people in danger’.
Pinkshift also commented on the issue through Instagram: “Playing @downloadfest was fun last year but what fucking music festival polices gendered bathrooms? That’s crazy and so unsafe, thanks @noahfinnce for being the only artist I’ve seen talk about this… if Download is part of your life then speak up, they think they can get away with discrimination in the ripe year of 2025”.
It’s not only artists who have taken issue with Download’s toileting policy – high street retailer Lush has reportedly cancelled its collaboration with Download this year after the controversy. Lush had produced a “revival kit” in collaboration with the festival, containing a bath bomb, soap and an ‘Ace Of Sprays’ body spray packaged in a reusable roadie’s box. The kit was available to purchase online and was set to be sold at the festival too.
Now, it seems the collaboration has come to an early end – a user on X shared that they asked Lush’s customer service about the issue, to which they responded: “We are terminating our collaboration with this event so will no longer be participating.”
thank you @LushLtd for taking a stand !! #downloadfestival pic.twitter.com/w977rqMqWj
— stream RIP YOU TO SHREDS! (@htmljones) May 29, 2025
This isn’t the only dispute that Download has found themselves in throughout recent years – in 2024, the festival received backlash for their sponsors, Barclays Bank, having ties to Israel amidst the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. You can read more on that here.
