A transgender musician pulled out of a gig in Andover last night after management allegedly asked her not to use the female toilets.

Amelia, 30, who plays guitar for Bristol punk rock band Brasher, was due to perform at The Rockhouse.

But the 30-year-old decided to walk out after a manager allegedly asked her personal questions about her transition and told her she could only use the disabled toilets. 

The Rockhouse said they are aware of a complaint and cannot comment while an investigation is carried out. 
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Speaking to the Advertiser, Amelia said: “I’ve never, ever been a situation like this since coming out. I've never been challenged over a bathroom before, so I felt angry and let down.”

Recounting what happened in her own words, Amelia said: “I was just waiting at the bar to get some water before going on stage, we had set everything up and were ready to start our set. 

“After my brief conversation with the manager, I went back to the bar to continue queuing for water and argued with myself inside about if I wanted to actually play or not.

"I decided I didn't feel safe in a venue where the manager was so complacent with siding with a transphobic customer.”

In a public post to Facebook, the band alleged a manager came over and asked Amelia a personal question. 

The manager allegedly said: “This is a bit of a touchy subject but have you had a full sex change?” 

Before asking that Amelia would not use women’s bathrooms but rather the disabled facilities.

The guitarist was then allegedly falsely told that it was ‘illegal’ for her to use the women’s. 

“I told her it was illegal for her to tell me which facilities I could and couldn’t use,” she said. 

Amelia, also known as Mel to friends, said the manager was ‘rude and belittling’.

A Rockhouse spokesperson said: “We are in the midst of investigation of a complaint until we have completed this we cannot comment.”

A director of Rockhouse commented on Amelia's public Facebook post about the alleged incident and pledged to ensure staff members were trained to deal with such circumstances. 

He wrote: "I have said [I am] more than happy to sit down [with you], but the staff member will be dealt with once the investigation has been completed and if you don’t mind me sharing your comments as I need to produce a statement when interviewing the staff as they will all be retrained and [we will] check they understand LGBT community."

Amelia urged followers of the band to help spread the message that it is not okay to discriminate against trans people.

“Be an ally to trans people. Speak out and speak up against ignorance and prejudice, we need you and your voice. There is zero place for transphobia or discrimination in modern society.”