Matty Healy, the prominent figure of the 1975 pop group, is facing criticism from critics who accuse him of having a “white saviour complex” and attempting to impose “western” values on Malaysia. These accusations stem from his outspoken denouncement of the country’s harsh anti-LGBTQ+ laws during his recent concert in Kuala Lumpur. However, Healy received resounding applause from the audience, indicating their agreement with his stance.
While some members of the Malaysian LGBT community expressed criticism, others showed support. They argue that queer rights are not exclusive to the West but are instead universal human rights. Furthermore, they highlight that a significant minority of the Malaysian population, particularly the youth, also back these rights.
It’s highly unlikely that Healy’s intention was to “save” Malaysia from homophobia or appropriate the LGBTQ+ struggle there. It seems clear to me that he simply wanted to show solidarity with Malaysia’s persecuted queer community. Additionally, he expressed concern about the potential imprisonment of his band members if they engaged in same-sex relationships. This concern is entirely valid.
Calls for the 1975 to demonstrate “sensitivity and respect” towards Malaysian culture are effectively giving a homophobic government a free pass. Such calls aim to promote acquiescence and deference, rather than engaging in meaningful protest.
In my opinion, it was commendable for Healy to acknowledge that performing in Malaysia was a “mistake.” When the band booked the concert, they were unaware of the country’s homophobic laws. By speaking out against these laws, Healy sought to make amends for the band’s inadvertent collaboration with an anti-LGBTQ+ regime. Such actions deserve praise, don’t they?
Healy also seems to have recognized that speaking out would result in the cancellation of the show, potentially leading to substantial financial consequences for the band. Losing both the gig and their earnings is a significant price to pay for supporting LGBTQ+ equality.
While I personally have reservations about the explicit language used in Healy’s speech, it’s important to remember that he is a pop star, and such language is typical of the genre. Moreover, the fans in attendance seemed unfazed by it. However, a passionate denunciation delivered with more courtesy might have been a more effective approach.
Regardless of one’s opinion on Healy’s actions, he succeeded in attracting global attention to the persecution faced by queer individuals in Malaysia. As a result, hundreds of millions of people now know that Malaysia punishes LGBTQ+ people with up to 20 years of imprisonment, in addition to other penalties, under a colonial-era law initially imposed by the British in 1871.
Furthermore, discrimination and hate crimes against LGBTQ+ individuals are alarmingly prevalent in Malaysia, with no legal protections in place. State-sanctioned forced conversion practices are distressingly common.
To exemplify the country’s homophobia, last year, the police raided a private gay Halloween party, arresting numerous participants. Additionally, just two months ago, Malaysian authorities seized Swatch watches merely because they featured rainbow colors. Homophobic repression has worsened since 2018, coinciding with the increasing Islamification of Malaysian society and a trend towards theocracy, which is even rejected by some Muslims.
In response to the incident, the Malaysian government swiftly condemned the 1975 and banned them from performing in the country again. However, this action represents a clear violation of Article 10 of Malaysia’s constitution, which guarantees freedom of expression. Additionally, the ban on homosexuality contradicts the constitution’s Article 8, which states that all citizens are entitled to equal rights.
Moreover, Malaysia has signed and pledged its commitment to uphold two international conventions that forbid any form of discrimination: the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Commonwealth charter.
Critiques of the 1975 distract from the urgent need to direct criticism towards the homophobia of the Kuala Lumpur regime. When we focus on Healy’s conduct rather than the LGBTQ+ human rights abuses he was condemning, we inadvertently play into the regime’s hands, as it delights in this diversion.
That being said, it’s crucial for white European critics of dictatorships in the global south to avoid acting as neocolonial overlords. Such behavior is not only offensive but also counterproductive. This is why my international campaigns are based on consultation with local activists. I take action at their request and in solidarity with their struggle. For instance, in 2001, I attempted a citizen’s arrest of the Zimbabwean dictator Robert Mugabe, supported Russian LGBTQ+ people during my visit to Moscow in 2007, and staged a protest before last year’s football World Cup in Qatar. It remains unclear whether the 1975 engaged with any LGBTQ+ activists in Malaysia.
Critics argue that Healy’s actions may provoke a crackdown on Malaysian LGBTQ+ individuals. While this concern is valid, it remains speculative for now. Nevertheless, backlash and repression are common responses to every social justice movement, from the Chartists and the Suffragettes to the US black civil rights movement and the anti-apartheid campaign in South Africa. These movements persevered despite intensified crackdowns and eventually triumphed.
Malaysian queer individuals already face persecution, driven by state-sponsored homophobia inspired by religion, not by the pro-LGBTQ+ comments of Western pop stars.
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