The 1975 frontman Matt Healy protested the UAE’s homophobic laws as he shared a kiss with a male fan from the audience during their concert in Dubai.
A video circulated online showing the British singer going into the crowd and kissing an audience member on the lips last Wednesday. The said footage was uploaded by a fan on social media. The kiss was greeted with loud cheers from the surrounding audience who jammed to their performance of Loving Someone (2016).
Following the kiss, the video continued to show Healy returning to the rainbow-cladded stage saying “I love you bro. We’re all human, right?”
Homosexuality is punishable by law in the United Arab Emirates, publicly displaying affection is frowned upon by the general public.
Healy then addressed the incident when he posted about it online. The musician wrote on Twitter that he thinks the Brit Award-winning band would not be “allowed back” to enter the UAE “due to my ‘behaviour’”. He then wrote that he has no regrets regarding his actions. “know that I love you and I wouldn’t have done anything differently given the chance again,” the singer added.
It was The 1975’s first concert in the United Arab Emirates and if Healy is right, it might be their last unless the Emirates takes a progressive turn in the future.
The pop music band was recognized as the best British group and was awarded best British album by 2019’s Brit Awards. All three of the 1975’s studio albums have reached number one status in the United Kingdom.