Download Festival Faces Backlash Over Controversial Transgender Toilet Policy

The upcoming Download Festival 2025, set to take place from June 13 to 15 at Donington Park, has ignited fierce controversy over its transgender toilet access policy. The festival, which boasts headliners like Green Day, Sleep Token, and KoRn, has come under fire from prominent artists and activists who label the policy discriminatory and a threat to trans attendees’ safety.

Download Festival’s Trans Toilet Policy and Legal Context

In late May 2025, musician NOAHFINNCE publicly shared a screenshot of an email from Download Festival organizers outlining their official stance on transgender bathroom access. The policy states that the festival will follow interim guidance issued by the UK Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) on April 25, 2025, which itself references a UK Supreme Court ruling from April 16, 2025.

This guidance defines “woman” based on biological sex under the Equality Act 2010 and explicitly instructs that:

• Trans women (biological males) are not permitted to use women’s facilities.
• Trans men (biological females) are not permitted to use men’s facilities.

The festival email also assured that most toilets on site would be gender-neutral and available to all attendees, alongside single-sex toilets.

Artist and Public Reactions: Safety and Discrimination Concerns

NOAHFINNCE’s Vocal Opposition

NOAHFINNCE, a transgender man who came out publicly in 2017, condemned the policy as hypocritical and unsafe. He questioned how the festival could invite trans performers yet deny them access to the correct bathrooms, stating:

“If the only way we can pee is by outing ourselves, then you’ve created an unsafe environment.”
“I had a great time playing last year but will not be attending again if I have to queue for the ladies’ bathroom and my trans sisters have to risk outing themselves in the men’s bathroom.”

Pinkshift and Witch Fever Join the Outcry

American band Pinkshift, who performed at Download in 2024, called the policy “crazy and so unsafe,” urging fans to speak out against what they described as discrimination in 2025. Similarly, Manchester punk band Witch Fever labeled the policy a “complete tragedy,” emphasizing the threat it poses to trans people’s safety by forcing them to use facilities inconsistent with their gender identity.

Broader Cultural Sector Response

The controversy extends beyond Download Festival. Over 1,000 cultural figures signed an open letter opposing the Supreme Court ruling and EHRC guidance, warning that it overlooks protections for trans, non-binary, and intersex people. Signatories include artists such as Charli XCX, Self Esteem, Wolf Alice, Scissor Sisters, Perfume Genius, Garbage, and Billy Bragg, all voicing solidarity with the trans community and criticizing the policing of toilet use.

Download Festival’s Official Response

In response to the backlash, Download Festival issued a statement emphasizing its commitment to diversity and attendee safety. While the festival did not retract its adherence to the EHRC guidance, it highlighted the availability of unisex toilets across the site for all attendees. The organizers apologized for any unclear communication and reiterated their intention to create a welcoming environment for everyone.

Legal and Social Implications

The UK Supreme Court ruling and subsequent EHRC guidance have created a complex legal landscape. While affirming the definition of “woman” based on biological sex under the Equality Act, the ruling maintains that trans individuals remain protected against discrimination. However, the ruling’s enforcement and practical application remain unclear, with reports indicating that official implementation guidance may take months to finalize.

This legal backdrop has intensified debates about balancing single-sex spaces with trans rights. Critics argue that policies like Download’s risk excluding and endangering trans people, while supporters claim they protect women’s spaces. The controversy also parallels recent decisions such as the Football Association’s ban on transgender women from women’s football in England starting June 20251.

Previous Festival Controversies and Current Status

This is not the first time Download Festival has faced controversy. In 2024, several bands withdrew last minute over the festival’s sponsorship ties to companies linked to the Israel-Palestine conflict. Despite the current uproar over the trans toilet policy, no acts have pulled out of the 2025 lineup as of this writing.

Download Festival’s enforcement of the UK Supreme Court and EHRC’s guidance on transgender toilet access has sparked widespread condemnation from artists and cultural figures who view it as discriminatory and unsafe. While the festival insists on providing gender-neutral facilities and fostering inclusivity, the policy highlights ongoing tensions in UK society over transgender rights and the definition of single-sex spaces. The debate continues as the festival approaches, with calls for change growing louder among fans, performers, and advocacy groups.