Malaysian LGBTQ Community Reacts Strongly to Matty Healy's Controversial Kiss

While some people are applauding his stance, the Malaysian LGBT community has criticized him for this act, fearing it may exacerbate their troubles.

Transcript

00:00 A British singer of 1975, Matt Haley, has found himself engulfed in controversy after

00:04 kissing his bandmate Ross McDonald on stage during their Malaysia concert on Friday in

00:09 support of LGBTQ rights.

00:12 In his speech, he criticized the country for its anti-LGBTQ laws.

00:18 While some are appreciating his stance, the Malaysian LGBT community has slammed him for

00:22 this act as it could potentially lead them into more trouble.

00:26 One user wrote, "They did more harm to queer people than by doing that.

00:31 And you are right.

00:32 Stop speaking on behalf of Puyo C. He's gonna return to his mansion in London, while

00:37 queer people in Malaysia are gonna deal with all the insults and homophobia once this reaches

00:42 the public."

00:46 Another user stated, "It's fair criticism, but its expression shamefully elides context.

00:52 It's day one of a three-day festival in a country fighting to keep its live music scene

00:56 alive.

00:57 Also, public acts like this when local queer communities aren't consulted, put people

01:03 in the spotlight at risk of violence."

01:06 The third user expressed, "How can it be iconic when, from here on out, the Malaysian

01:11 LGBT community's rights, voice, and freedom are compromised.

01:15 His drunken, iconic act didn't do it for us.

01:18 We ruined our decade-long fight to be accepted, and our government will now use us as scapegoats

01:23 thanks to this."

01:24 As per Malaysian law, homosexuality is illegal and it's punishable up to 20 years in jail.

01:30 Soon after Matt's act, his remaining shows were cancelled.

01:34 The 1975 was supposed to play in Indonesia and Taiwan next, but have since cancelled

01:40 those shows.

01:41 [music]