The 1975, a British pop rock band, has faced backlash and been banned from performing in Malaysia after lead singer Matty Healy kissed his bandmate Ross MacDonald on stage during a recent concert. The routine act of kissing a stranger during performances, which Healy is known for, sparked controversy in Malaysia due to the country’s anti-LGBTQ laws. The Malaysian government canceled the annual Good Vibes Festival and declared that The 1975 violated local cultural values with their “rude” actions and statements.
During their performance in Kuala Lumpur, Healy admitted to making a mistake by agreeing to come to the country and criticized the government’s decision to dictate who they can have relationships with. Healy passionately spoke out against Malaysia’s anti-LGBTQ laws and then kissed and embraced MacDonald on stage before performing their song “I Like America and America Likes Me.”
Homosexuality is illegal in Malaysia, a Muslim-majority nation, and the Ministry of Communications expressed its disapproval of any actions that challenge or ridicule Malaysian laws. Healy has previously defied anti-LGBTQ laws by kissing a male audience member at a concert in Dubai in 2019.
Following the controversy in Malaysia, The 1975 also canceled their scheduled concerts in Indonesia and Taiwan, citing “current circumstances” as the reason for the cancellations. While Indonesia has local laws discriminating against LGBTQ+ individuals, homosexuality is not considered a crime at the national level. Taiwan, on the other hand, has a thriving LGBTQ community.
The band has yet to respond to NPR’s request for comment on the situation. The cancellation of their performances and the band’s outspokenness on LGBTQ rights highlight the ongoing struggle for acceptance and equality faced by the LGBTQ community in various parts of the world.
