Butlin’s apology following transphobia allegations against security staff at Bang Face 2024 – News

An investigation has been launched following an alleged transphobic incident at this year’s Bang Face Festival, held in Butlin’s Skegness.

According to Jae, one victim who spoke to Mixmag following the alleged incident, five transgender women were forcibly removed from the women’s restrooms around midnight on Saturday, October 5, during this year’s Bang Face event.

Jae stated that he entered the bathroom and saw a security guard asking a trans woman to leave, despite other people inside the bathroom defending the participant. She then alleges that the security guard left and returned with more than five other guards as “reinforcements.”

After more security guards entered the bathroom — who Butlin said were hired as a third-party team — Jae alleged they began using force, particularly against trans attendees who attempted to use the facilities.

Jae alleged that some women were “slammed against the wall”, with Jae herself claiming to have been “lifted off the floor, dragged down a flight of stairs and thrown out the door”. She also alleged that a woman had a wig ripped from her head.

She went on to claim that everyone in the women’s bathroom, including several “cis women,” were “yelling at security” and asked them to leave the allegedly targeted trans people alone.

“Security claimed it was Bang Face policy, which is nonsense,” Jae said, adding that Bang Face has always been a welcoming place for the queer community and has previously offered gender-neutral bathrooms.

Butlin’s Skegness, a UK coastal holiday resort where Bang Face hosted its 2024 event for the first time after moving from its former home in Southport Pontins, has since claimed that a third-party security team was hired for the event that did not Followed the resort’s usual processes.

Butlin issued a statement to Mixmagconfirming that the security guards involved were “immediately removed from duty” as soon as Butlin’s staff were informed of the alleged incident. Jae said Mixmag that she wasn’t sure if they “lost their jobs entirely or were simply removed from the festival team.”

A spokesperson for Butlin said in a statement: “As an inclusive company, we are very concerned to hear about this incident. To our disappointment, our third-party security contractor did not follow our processes despite being thoroughly informed.”

Since the incident, Jae said he has met with Bang Face’s management team, Butlin’s head of security and head of guest services to talk about the alleged incident. She says both teams apologized.

“As soon as we were informed, they were immediately removed from service,” the Butlin spokesperson added. “We are in direct contact with those involved and conducting an investigation that includes reviewing how we work with contractors.”

Bang Face also sent a statement to Mixmagexplaining that they were “very saddened to learn of the incident involving Butlin’s third-party security company” after what was an “extremely positive weekend during an incredibly difficult year”.

“We have been working with those involved, friends of the trans community and Butlin’s to help bring about positive change,” they said. “Bang Face has always been a safe space for ravers and a place to express individuality and creativity. One day, we hope the rest of the world catches up to the inclusivity that has always been a part of the rave scene.”

Mixmag has reached out to Bang Face and the witness for further comment.

Gemma Ross is assistant editor at Mixmag, follow her on Twitter