Butlin's issue apology following allegations of transphobia against security team at Bang Face 2024

An investigation has been launched after an alleged transphobic incident took place at this year’s Bang Face Festival, hosted at Butlin's Skegness.

According to Jae, a victim who spoke to Mixmag after the alleged incident, five transgender women were claimed to have been forcibly removed from the women’s toilets at around midnight on Saturday, October 5, during this year's Bang Face event.

Jae claimed that she entered the bathroom to see a security guard asking a trans woman to leave, despite others inside the bathroom defending the attendee. She then alleges that the security left and returned with more than five other guards as "reinforcements".

After more security guards were said to have entered the bathroom - who Butlin's claim were hired as a third party team - Jae alleged that they began to use force, particularly against the trans attendees attempting to use the facilities.

Jae alleged that some women were “slammed against a wall", with Jae herself claiming to have been "lifted from the ground, dragged down a flight of stairs and chucked out the door". She also alleged that one woman had a wig pulled from her head.

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

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

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

Butlin's issued a statement to Mixmag, confirming that the security involved were “immediately removed from duty” once the Butlin's team were made aware of the alleged incident. Jae told Mixmag that she was unsure whether they "lost their jobs entirely or were just removed from festival staff”.

A Butlin's spokesperson said in a statement: “As an inclusive business we’re very concerned to hear about this incident. Much to our disappointment, our third-party security contractor did not follow our processes despite being thoroughly briefed."

Since the incident, Jae says that she met with the Bang Face management team and Butlin's security head and the head of guest services to talk through the alleged incident. She says that both teams were apologetic.

“Once we were made aware they were immediately removed from duty,” the Butlin's spokesperson added. “We are in direct contact with those involved and carrying out an investigation which includes reviewing how we work with contractors.”

Bang Face also sent a statement to Mixmag, explaining that they were "greatly saddened to hear of the incident involving Butlin’s third party security company" after what had been an "overwhelmingly positive weekend during an incredibly difficult year".

"We have been working with those involved, friends in the trans community and Butlin’s to assist with 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 will catch up with the inclusion that has always been part of the rave scene."

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

Gemma Ross is Mixmag's Assistant Editor, follow her on Twitter