The British band The 1975 has been prominent in the music industry, not just for their chart-topping hits, but also for their outspoken stance on LGBTQ+ rights. In a notable incident dating back to 2019, the group found themselves banned from performing in Dubai following a high-profile on-stage protest led by frontman Matty Healy against the United Arab Emirates’ stringent anti-LGBTQ+ laws.
During a performance in the city, Healy engaged in an act of defiance by kissing a male fan while singing their track Loving Someone. This act of solidarity occurred in a country where homosexuality is illegal, underscoring the stark contrast between the band’s values and the laws of the UAE. Following the event, Healy recounted his experience to The Times, revealing that the venue had cautioned him against any behaviour that could be interpreted as “gay propaganda.”
Healy continued, “They [the venue] had given me a list of shit that I couldn’t do and they said there could be no ‘gay propaganda’. As soon as the big gay pride flag comes up in the show, all the security guys come running down to the side of the stage, trying to pull us off it.”
The incident has drawn considerable attention, illustrating the intersection of music, activism, and human rights. The band’s decision to take a stand has resonated widely, spotlighting issues affecting the LGBTQ+ community internationally, and further solidifying The 1975’s reputation as advocates for equality and inclusion.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2023-07-21/the-1975-matty-healy-malaysia-music-festival-lgbtq-laws – Corroborates The 1975’s outspoken stance on LGBTQ+ rights, including an incident in Malaysia where Matty Healy criticized the country’s LGBTQ+ laws and the band’s set was cut short.
- https://www.telegraph.co.uk/global-health/terror-and-security/malaysia-lgbt-the-1975-band-kiss-asia-homosexuality/ – Supports the backlash faced by the LGBT community in Malaysia after The 1975’s protest, including the government’s reaction and the impact on local LGBT people.
- https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2023-07-21/the-1975-matty-healy-malaysia-music-festival-lgbtq-laws – Details the incident in Malaysia where Matty Healy kissed a male bandmate on stage, highlighting the band’s activism against anti-LGBTQ+ laws.
- https://www.telegraph.co.uk/global-health/terror-and-security/malaysia-lgbt-the-1975-band-kiss-asia-homosexuality/ – Explains the legal and social context of homosexuality in Malaysia and how The 1975’s actions affected the local LGBT community.
- https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2023-07-21/the-1975-matty-healy-malaysia-music-festival-lgbtq-laws – Mentions the band’s history of activism, including the incident in Dubai in 2019 where Matty Healy kissed a male fan.
- https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2023-07-21/the-1975-matty-healy-malaysia-music-festival-lgbtq-laws – Describes the tension between artistic expression and social constraints, as seen in The 1975’s experiences in countries with anti-LGBTQ+ laws.
- https://www.telegraph.co.uk/global-health/terror-and-security/malaysia-lgbt-the-1975-band-kiss-asia-homosexuality/ – Highlights the broader impact of The 1975’s actions on the international stage, including the attention drawn to LGBTQ+ issues globally.
- https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2023-07-21/the-1975-matty-healy-malaysia-music-festival-lgbtq-laws – Illustrates how The 1975’s actions reflect broader cultural shifts in the music industry towards addressing social issues and promoting LGBTQ+ rights.
- https://www.telegraph.co.uk/global-health/terror-and-security/malaysia-lgbt-the-1975-band-kiss-asia-homosexuality/ – Provides context on the legal penalties for homosexuality in Malaysia, which The 1975’s protest highlighted.
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