On July 21, 2023, in Malaysia, the lead singer of The 1975, Matt Healy, was involved in a controversial situation after he kissed his bandmate. You may ask who Matt Healy is? Matt Healy is an English singer, actor, and composer who was born on April 8, 1989, in London. He is famous for his music career. He started producing music at the age of 13, which is also when he met his band members, who are still in the band up to this day. Ross MacDonald, who is in the band, was who he kissed during his performance. In response to this display, Malaysia’s government cut short the music festival the band was performing in. This incident took place at the 2023 Good Vibes Festival in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This incident took place because Matt broke the anti-gay law in Malaysia.
The Malaysian government has had a reputation for not tolerating the LGBTQ community. In fact, it is a law that if you violate this rule in Malaysia, you can go to prison for up to 20 years or more. The Associated Press said, “it sparked a backlash in the predominantly Muslim nation.” This has caused The 1975 band to be banned from the country altogether. This is not the first reported incident regarding the LGBTQ community on stage. Matt once also kissed another male at a concert in The United Arab Emirates. The LGBTQ community is not allowed to express itself in Malaysia despite their free speech laws.
This may be a very controversial topic, as many people are sensitive about oppression against the LGBTQ community. This situation shows how there are some countries that do not tolerate it. Acts of intolerance seem to happen in predominantly Muslim populated countries like Malaysia and The United Arab Emirates. The laws are so strict that people will get sent to jail just for speaking out. This may be a win and a loss for the LGBTQ community as they are rejected in Malaysia. However, on a positive note, it could be a win because the community has a platform to help spread the message of intolerance in Malaysia. It is also a loss because an agency in charge of approving performances by foreign artists said, “it was disappointed with the band’s conduct, calling it ‘an insult and disrespecting the laws of the country.’” That just goes to show how people take this topic to the next level.
Matt Healy and the Malaysian government are going to remember each other for what they have done. Matt having broken a law means that Malaysia will blacklist him. What is your opinion on this? Whatever it is, remember that you probably should not express it in Malaysia.
Rescoures:https://www.lifestyleasia.com/kl/whats-on/news-whats-on/good-vibes-festival-cancelled-due-to-controversial-incident/
–https://eb18600f7bb2916037f5ee8e636ce199.cdn.bubble.io/f1690139436131x432237477793471200/Malaysia%20cuts%20short%20music%20fest%20after%20British%20band%20slams%20anti-gay%20laws%2C%20singer%20kisses%20male%20bandmate%20-%20ABC%20News.pdf
https://www.the-sun.com/entertainment/1967196/matt-healy-1975-girlfriend-parents-denise-welch-tim/
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/us/malaysia-festival-axed-as-matty-healy-of-the-1975-condemns-anti-lgbt-law/articleshow/102041287.cms# FAQ section
The Malaysian government has had a reputation for not tolerating the LGBTQ community. In fact, it is a law that if you violate this rule in Malaysia, you can go to prison for up to 20 years or more. The Associated Press said, “it sparked a backlash in the predominantly Muslim nation.” This has caused The 1975 band to be banned from the country altogether. This is not the first reported incident regarding the LGBTQ community on stage. Matt once also kissed another male at a concert in The United Arab Emirates. The LGBTQ community is not allowed to express itself in Malaysia despite their free speech laws.
This may be a very controversial topic, as many people are sensitive about oppression against the LGBTQ community. This situation shows how there are some countries that do not tolerate it. Acts of intolerance seem to happen in predominantly Muslim populated countries like Malaysia and The United Arab Emirates. The laws are so strict that people will get sent to jail just for speaking out. This may be a win and a loss for the LGBTQ community as they are rejected in Malaysia. However, on a positive note, it could be a win because the community has a platform to help spread the message of intolerance in Malaysia. It is also a loss because an agency in charge of approving performances by foreign artists said, “it was disappointed with the band’s conduct, calling it ‘an insult and disrespecting the laws of the country.’” That just goes to show how people take this topic to the next level.
Matt Healy and the Malaysian government are going to remember each other for what they have done. Matt having broken a law means that Malaysia will blacklist him. What is your opinion on this? Whatever it is, remember that you probably should not express it in Malaysia.
Rescoures:https://www.lifestyleasia.com/kl/whats-on/news-whats-on/good-vibes-festival-cancelled-due-to-controversial-incident/
–https://eb18600f7bb2916037f5ee8e636ce199.cdn.bubble.io/f1690139436131x432237477793471200/Malaysia%20cuts%20short%20music%20fest%20after%20British%20band%20slams%20anti-gay%20laws%2C%20singer%20kisses%20male%20bandmate%20-%20ABC%20News.pdf
https://www.the-sun.com/entertainment/1967196/matt-healy-1975-girlfriend-parents-denise-welch-tim/
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/us/malaysia-festival-axed-as-matty-healy-of-the-1975-condemns-anti-lgbt-law/articleshow/102041287.cms# FAQ section