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‘Nobody Is Normal’ Protocol: Free expression of Gender & Sexual Orientation

In 2019, Primavera Sound became the first major festival to achieve a gender balanced line-up, but its commitment to equality and diversity extended beyond the stage. It was also the first year of Nobody is Normal, an action plan against sexual aggression and harassment, as well as against transphobia, homophobia, lesbophobia and any other attempt to tarnish the audience experience at the festival. 

Outdoor music festival scene with a large screen displaying "NOBODY IS NORMAL" and attendees lounging and walking on grass.
© Primavera Sound

Four years later, the project has become an integral part of the festival. Measures include: 

While there is no explicit focus on racial discrimination, the protocol’s authors acknowledge that it is important to also pay attention to class and ethnicity, if you want to tackle gender and sexual discrimination successfully.

A nighttime scene of a vibrant outdoor event space with large glowing signs saying "NOBODY IS NORMAL" in colorful neon lights. The area is adorned with other messages about diversity and identity, and a few people are visible near the installation.
© Primavera Sound

The updated action plan was delivered in September 2023 by Laura Macaya Andrés and Abel Huete Martínez from Genera (Association in Defense of Gender and Sexual Rights and Freedoms) (Spanish). The non-public, comprehensive document was developed with the help of several experts: an expert psychologist in the field of gender violence; a social educator specialising in community intervention and the application of anti-racism tools to public policy; a lecturer in Criminal Law at the University of the Basque Country who specialises in criminal law protection against sexist violence; and a medical expert in harm reduction and pleasure management in substance use and nightlife.

After determining these points, ‘Nobody is Normal’ categorises the situations into several levels of severity, like: 

  1. Sexual violence (sexual assaults with intimidation, violence or while drugging the victim, sexual assaults by means of psychological pressure or sexual harassment)
  2. Discrimination, minor or occasional harassment and annoying or objectionable action on the grounds of sexual orientation, gender expression or gender identity that prevent the equal use of nightlife venues
  3. Physical or verbal violence based on sexual orientation, gender expression or gender identity.

Nobody is Normal is articulated around four key ideas and works with principles such as prioritising giving attention to the assaulted person and respecting their wishes on how to handle the aftermath of the incident, and not forcing them to press charges if there was a crime, amongst others. 

Group of nine people smiling and posing in front of a colorful booth with slogans advocating for sexual freedom and diversity, some wearing t-shirts with the text "NOBODY IS NORMAL".
© Primavera Sound


With this in mind, all the situations encountered must also be assessed according to their level of severity. In order to measure the gravity of the situation, the action plan takes into account variables such as:

The action plan states practical considerations such as

With this, Primavera Sound wants to become a support network that continues ensuring a framework to celebrate justice and the freedom to be yourself.