The 1975’s Matty Healy Defends On-Stage Protest Against Anti-LGBTQ Laws in Malaysia
Matty Healy, the frontman of The 1975, recently defended the band's on-stage protest against Malaysia's anti-LGBTQ laws, which led to their ban from the country. The incident occurred during their performance at the Good Vibes festival in Kuala Lumpur in July. Healy criticized Malaysia's laws against same-sex relationships and kissed bassist Ross McDonald, a part of their routine act. This led to their set being cut short and the cancellation of the festival by the Malaysian government.
Post the incident, The 1975 faced legal repercussions. Future Sound Asia, the festival organizer, demanded £2 million in damages. Malaysian artists who couldn't perform due to the cancellation filed a class-action lawsuit. Healy was criticized by Malaysian LGBTQ activists and Julian Casablancas of The Strokes for his protest method.
Healy defended his actions during a show in Dallas. He argued that their act wasn't meant to provoke but was a part of their regular stage show. He stated that removing any part of their show would have been an endorsement of Malaysia's bigoted views on LGBTQ people.
Healy highlighted the repressive nature of Malaysia's laws on homosexuality and focused on the liberal outrage against their consistent pro-LGBTQ stage show. He found it puzzling that liberals saw their performance as an insensitive display against Malaysian cultural customs and a performative gesture of allyship. Some even criticized it as a form of colonialism, accusing The 1975 of imposing Western beliefs on the Eastern world.
Healy rejected these arguments, emphasizing that they were invited to perform in Malaysia and had no power to enforce their will on anyone there. He also mentioned various illiberal laws in many U.S. states regarding LGBTQ people and bodily autonomy, arguing that critics would find it appalling if The 1975 were to acquiesce to such laws.
Find the full speech HERE:
https://twitter.com/the1975_thteam/status/1711593407339286829