Rougaroux Cancels Charlottetown Concert Over Washroom Access
“Why, when my female fiancé is going to use the washroom, did you feel the need to walk in front of her and put this sign up?” band member George Finley said after a venue taped a sign to a restroom door in Charlottetown. The Vancouver punk band Rougaroux cancelled its scheduled cross-country tour performance at the Sportsman’s Club in Prince Edward Island after transgender singer Marina Hanly was blocked from using the women’s washroom, cbc.ca reported.
The incident occurred as the band was unloading equipment for the show. As Hanly approached the washroom to prepare for the evening, a bartender approached and taped a handwritten “ladies only” sign to the door, telling her the venue was strict about the policy. Finley stated that he walked over, removed the sign, and confronted the bartender at the bar. According to Finley, the bartender responded by stating there should be no problem if Hanly was female.
Following the exchange, Finley told the group to gather their gear and leave the venue. “There are four trans women travelling with us, including Marina, and I myself am a trans man,” Finley said.
Sportsman's Club refuses to change bathroom policy
The manager of the Sportsman’s Club told CBC News that the business tries to accommodate transgender individuals, but that support does not extend to washroom access because the venue lacks gender-neutral facilities. The manager confirmed there are no plans to alter the existing bathroom policy at the Charlottetown establishment.
Rougaroux members noted that the band’s identity and focus on queerness are prominently displayed across their social media platforms. Hanly mentioned that she spoke with venue organizers over the phone during the booking process, adding that venues should do the minimum amount of research regarding the artists they host.
Drag performer Remedy calls cancellation a human rights violation
Derrick Biso, a local drag performer scheduled to open the show under the persona Remedy, spoke out following the cancellation. Biso learned about the tour coming to town and reached out directly to the band to participate.
“[It’s] certainly a really disappointing experience, very discouraging and certainly one that is a violation of people’s human rights to access washrooms,” Biso said, pointing to a broader societal rise in hostility.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Cancelled Tour Stop
Where was Rougaroux scheduled to perform in Charlottetown?
The Vancouver punk band was slated to play at the Sportsman’s Club in Charlottetown as part of a cross-country tour.
Who confronted the venue staff regarding the washroom sign?
Band member George Finley confronted the bartender after removing the handwritten sign that was placed on the washroom door as singer Marina Hanly prepared to enter.
What reason did venue management give for the restriction?
The manager of the Sportsman’s Club stated that the venue does not possess gender-neutral facilities and that accommodating transgender people does not include access to sex-segregated washrooms.
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