Perhaps Taylor Swift’s former boyfriend, Matty Healy – lead singer of indie pop band The 1975 – didn’t expect his political statement in Malaysia to have quite the impact it did, but it’s raised conversation about celebrity activism, and who can speak for who.
Healy was performing at Good Vibes music festival over the weekend in Kuala Lumpur when he told the crowd that he didn’t “see the f-cking point” of inviting the band to Malaysia “and then telling us who we can have sex with.”
His onstage kiss with his male bandmate led to the cancellation of the remaining festival lineup.
Alexander Teh is the president of the Australian GLBTIQ Multicultural Council and was working with an independent pride group in Malaysia when the Healy incident happened.
“There is a mixed reaction from different groups, because Malaysia is a multicultural country,” Teh said.
“There definitely is [a] slowing down [of activism] … because there's quite a stir around [following the event].
"Whatever they want to do they have to hold back for now.
“They will try not to get into trouble, so they will take a few steps back.”
Malaysian drag artist Carmen Rose told the ABC she was afraid of what Healy’s statement would mean for the country’s queer community.
“I know how Malaysia is and how homophobic our government is, they are gonna use this make it a really, really big deal,” she said.
Who can speak for who?
Healy’s statement made a stand against Malaysia’s restrictions around homosexuality, which is criminalised. While LGBTIQ+ rights groups exist in Malaysia, section 377A of the country’s penal code penalises “carnal intercourse against the order of nature” with up to 20 years imprisonment and whipping.
“Celebrity activism definitely illustrates who doesn't who doesn't have a voice,” said UNSW media professor Lukasz Swiatek who has contributed to literature on celebrity activism.
“Very often, not just celebrities, but high profile people don't do the research properly before they go and engage in particular activities or involve themselves in particular situations,” he said.
Healy has not identified himself as part of the LGBTIQ+ community, stating in 2020 he is “quite straight”.
And this is not the first same sex-kiss the performer has pursued in a country with legal restrictions around homosexuality. In 2019, he kissed a male fan during a concert in Dubai.
Healy later said on Twitter: “Thank you Dubai you were so amazing. I don’t think we’ll be allowed back due to my ‘behaviour’ but know that I love you and I wouldn’t have done anything differently given the chance again.”
Drag artist Carmen Rose said it would have been more helpful to the cause if Healy had worked with or donated to one of Malaysia’s LGBTIQ+ organisations.
“It's like he needed to come and save us but we did not meet his help at all.
Basically, he's a white saviour kicking the hornet's nest, and provoking more crackdowns on queer folks in Malaysia because of how we are seen as sexual deviants hereDrag artist Carmen Rose
Does celebrity activism ever help?
Celebrity activism has had some big moments over the last couple of years, particularly during the height of COVID-19 when the internet was served an awkward rendition of and soon after, a black and white montage of celebrities pledging, “I take responsibility” following the Black Lives Matter protests spurred by the police killing of George Floyd in 2020. Both statements received a lot of public critique.
“Sometimes [celebrity activism] works very successfully when particular celebrities lend their names to charitable organizations,” Swiatek said.
He pointed to Princess Diana’s statement of shaking the hand of a person with AIDS in front of television cameras in 1987, in the midst of the HIV/AIDS crisis, illustrating that the virus could not be transmitted via casual contact.
“Celebrity activism does generate real tangible benefits, say when a celebrity is generating money for a particular cause,” Swiatek said, pointing to Rihanna’s free 2012 concert to help victims of Hurricane Sandy, which devastated parts of North America and the Carribean.
“In some cases, it is just performative … but it absolutely depends on the celebrity.”
Activism around LGBTIQ+ rights in Malaysia
Alexander Teh from the Australian GLBTIQ+ Multicultural Council said local organisations are working on the ground discreetly to address restrictions around homosexuality.
During his work in Malaysia, Teh encouraged the organisation he was collaborating with to engage with MPs who align with pro-LGBTIQ+ rights, but believes it also comes back to grassroots education and influence.
“We encourage the people who are Malaysian who live [in Australia] to start educating their own culture, own group, and own family group,” Teh said.
Because it is not celebrities who will change Malaysia’s laws, but the people.
LGBTIQ+ Australians seeking support with mental health can contact QLife on 1800 184 527 or visit .
