Performance Criticizing Regulation of Homosexuality on Stage
Agency: "Performers Must Comply with Local Regulations"
A British band that kissed between members of the same sex during a music festival performance in Malaysia has been sued for a large sum in damages by a local event organizer.
According to AFP and others on the 12th, the event organizer that hosted the music festival 'Good Vibes' held last month in Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia, filed a lawsuit against the British band 'The 1975' who performed at the event, demanding compensation of 12.3 million ringgit (3.57 billion KRW).
The organizer's lawyer pointed out that "the performers must comply with all local regulations and laws on stage," stating that the band violated the contract.
On the 21st of last month at the event, The 1975 criticized the Malaysian government's regulation of homosexuality, saying, "We do not want to perform in countries that hate homosexuality." The band's member Matthew Healy also kissed another member, Ross MacDonald.
In Malaysia, where Islam is the state religion, homosexuality is a serious crime punishable by imprisonment of over 20 years. Due to this performance, Malaysian authorities canceled the remaining festival schedule and decided to ban future performances by the band in Malaysia.
The 1975 left Malaysia and also canceled their upcoming performances in Indonesia and Taiwan.
The organizer's lawyer claimed that The 1975's actions were "essentially a breach of contract," and argued that "(the festival cancellation) affected local artists and small business owners who depended on the festival for their livelihood."
Suppression of LGBT (sexual minorities) in Malaysia is at a severe level. On the 10th, the Malaysian Ministry of Home Affairs announced a ban on the production, import, distribution, and possession of Swatch watches containing LGBT elements. Violators may face up to 3 years imprisonment and a fine of 20,000 ringgit (5.78 million KRW), and individuals can be punished even for wearing them.
The Ministry of Home Affairs stated, "The Malaysian government is doing its best to prevent the spread of elements that may be harmful or morally damaging," adding, "These watches could cause harm by supporting and drawing attention to the LGBTQ+ movement, which is not accepted by the public."
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