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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Entertainment
Rebecca Ratcliffe in Bangkok

Malaysia’s gay community fears backlash after Matty Healy’s outburst

Matty Healy Malaysia Lgbt KUALA LUMPUR Ross MacDonald
Matty Healy kisses bandmate Ross MacDonald on stage at the Good Vibes festival in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Matty Healy kisses bandmate Ross MacDonald on stage at the Good Vibes festival in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The event was subsequently cancelled. Photograph: Sky News

The 1975 frontman Matty Healy’s recent appearance at a festival in Kuala Lumpur – where he criticised Malaysia’s homophobic laws and kissed a male bandmate on stage – has strongly angered conservatives in the country.

Members of the LGBTQ+ community have also expressed unease over his actions, fearing that the episode risks further exacerbating the hostilities they face.

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