Matty Healy’s On-Stage Gay Kiss Sparks Legal Battle With Malaysian Music Festival
According to Variety, a legal battle is brewing between The 1975 and Malaysia’s Good Vibes Festival. The festival is suing the band for £1.9 million ($2.4 million) after lead singer Matty Healy’s on-stage protest against Malaysia’s anti-LGBTQIA+ laws.
“I Made a Mistake”
In July 2023, The 1975 headlined the Good Vibes Festival in Kuala Lumpur. During the show, Healy spoke out against the country’s stance on LGBTQIA+ rights. He said, “I made a mistake. When we were booking shows, I wasn’t looking into it.”
Healy went on to question why the band was invited to perform in a country with such laws. His actions led to the festival being cut short. The organisers said this was due to a breach of “local performance guidelines”.
Future Sound Asia, the festival promoter, has filed a lawsuit in a UK High Court. They’re seeking the aforementioned £1.9 million in damages. The promoter claims The 1975 knew about Malaysia’s laws before the event. They say the band was warned twice: once in 2016 when they played the same festival, and again last year.
This isn’t the first time Healy has protested on stage. In 2019, he kissed an audience member at a show in Dubai to protest their anti-LGBTQIA+ laws.
As of now, The 1975 hasn’t filed a defence or made a statement about the lawsuit.
Malaysia’s LGBTQIA+ Laws
In Malaysia, gay sex is illegal for both men and women. The country also has laws against trans people expressing their gender. People found guilty can face up to twenty years in prison and whipping. The Human Dignity Trust reports that these laws are still being enforced. LGBTQIA+ people in Malaysia often face discrimination and violence.
