Changes to the Bush Theatre’s toilet facilities

Changes to statutory guidance from the EHRC have changed how venues like us provide public facilities which relate to gender. As many other theatres have done across the country, we sought advice to understand our best path forwards.

The changes: Following that legal advice, our main multi-stall toilets are now designated as separate single-sex male and female spaces. Our ground-floor self-contained toilet is available for anyone who requires an accessible or non-gendered facility.

Future plans: We are actively fundraising to structurally adapt all our toilets to individual, self-contained, gender-inclusive cubicles in the future to ensure we can continue to deliver the most welcoming experience for all of our visitors.

Our commitment: Bush Theatre remains a transgender, non-binary and gender non-conforming inclusive venue. We continue to welcome everyone to use the facilities that are most appropriate for them. No one will be asked to evidence their sex in order to use our facilities.

Last year, following the Supreme Court ruling on the legal definitions of sex, we released a statement outlining our commitment to our communities and to our values. These commitments remain constant. To all of our trans, non-binary and gender non-conforming visitors, staff, artists and participants; the Bush Theatre is a place for you. You are welcome here. You are a vital part of the Bush Theatre family, and we stand in solidarity with you.

We are keenly aware of the way that policy changes like this disproportionately impact minoritised people. We welcome ongoing legal challenges to the EHRC’s Code of Practice and will continue to raise our voices with others against the discrimination and confusion it creates.

If you would like to offer us feedback or share a concern, you can reach us on info@bushtheatre.co.uk.