Members of the British pop band, the 1975, sparked controversy during a music festival in Malaysia with a same-sex kiss. Lead singer, Matty Healy, kissed the band’s bassist after criticizing Malaysia’s anti-LGBTQ+ laws, leading to the government shutting down the festival. The band subsequently canceled performances in Indonesia and Taiwan. The kiss received mixed reactions, with criticism from local activists who argued that it disregarded the difficult situation for the LGBTQ community in Malaysia. Thilaga Sulathireh, founder of the LGBTQ group Justice for Sisters, expressed concern that the timing of Healy’s actions could negatively impact the local LGBTQ community during an election period. James Chin, a Malaysia expert, suggested that Healy misunderstood the cultural context of his kiss. Despite some backlash, there were also supporters who appreciated Healy’s protest. The festival cancellation was ordered by Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil, due to political pressure and opposition from conservative forces. Overall, the incident highlighted the ongoing struggles for LGBTQ rights in the region.
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