The 1975’s frontman Matt Healy has reflected on his actions at a Dubai concert last year, which saw the singer publicly kiss a male fan in spite of the country’s strict anti-LGBT laws.
While initially, he said he “wouldn’t have done anything differently”, the musician has since revealed he now feels it was “pretty irresponsible” after it potentially put the fan at risk.
Last year, a video of Healy at the concert was widely circulated and showed him kissing a male fan holding up a sign that reportedly read ‘Marry Me’.
The fan is believed to have requested the kiss and Healy tweeted at the time that he may not be able to return to Dubai.
Homosexuality has been criminalised in Dubai, with homosexual acts deemed illegal - potentially resulting in jail time and fines.
Healy reflected on the concert in an interview with the Sunday Times, revealing he had been told by the venue that “gay propaganda” was banned from his show.
He added that he had displayed a pride flag during the performance, which prompted security to try to “pull [The 1975] off” the stage.
After Healy kissed the fan, he claimed he was nearly arrested backstage. At the time the video went viral, many fans vocalised concerns over the welfare of the fan Healy kissed - pointing out that he could be in danger.
“I was going to go down to the police station and hand myself in,” Healy reflected, however, he was then able to get in contact with the fan on Instagram who confirmed he was safe and “having the night of his life.”
Healy explained that once they had left the country, “I was reading about it and I felt pretty irresponsible and then a bit, well, ‘F*** that’.”
Healy, who is known for being outspoken on a number of issues ranging from gender equality to climate change, continued, “Of course I’m not going to put people in danger, but I genuinely want to be an ally for people who don’t have a voice if I happen to have this big voice in pop culture. Those are the fundamental things I stand for.”
Last year, Healy was awarded a Diva Award for his work as an ally to the LGBTQ+ community that his mother, Denise Welch of Loose Women, collected on his behalf.
Other celebrities have also put themselves at risk by publicly supported the LGBTQ+ community at shows in Dubai, including girl group Little Mix who performed their LGBTQ+ tune Secret Love Song Pt. II in front of a rainbow flag.
