Singer Matt Healy is a complicated character.
Last summer, the lead singer of The 1975 made international headlines when he pulled a male fan up on stage and kissed him on the lips during a concert in Dubai.
The response to the kiss was mixed. Some praised Healy for his bravery, while others criticized him for potentially putting the other man’s life in danger, as homosexuality is punishable with up to ten years in prison in Dubai.
Now, in a new interview with Attitude, Healy is defending what he did.
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
“My shows are gay and it was the gayest gig I’ve ever done,” he says, adding that he checked afterwards to make sure the fan wasn’t prosecuted for the kiss.
Related: Man In Dubai Gets 1 Year In Prison For Gay Relationship
“He replied: ‘What do you mean? We’re in a bar, it was the best night of my life,’” Healy claims.
Well, that’s a relief! Imagine if things had gone the other way, and the fan had written back to say he was sitting in a jail cell.
Later in the interview, Healy opens up about his own sexuality. He explains that he considers himself “aesthete.”
“I tend not to talk about my sexuality that explicitly because I don’t really have to and all things are subject to change,” he explains.
“I’m an aesthete. I see things as objectively beautiful, so men can be objectively beautiful.”
There’s just one caveat.
Healy says that he can’t ever imagine himself actually having sex with a man. Sure, he’s “kissed beautiful men” but “I don’t want to f*ck them.”
Following the stunt Dubai, Healy tweeted: “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.”
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
— ?? (@Truman_Black) August 15, 2019
Related: Model Gigi Gorgeous Denied Entry In Dubai, Detained For Being Transgender
Chrisk
Normally would be rolling my eyes but the kid did something good. Anything to show the stupidity and hypocrisy of the country. Starts with the young people.
RIGay
The only question I have is – How the hell do you pronounce whatever it is he is defining himself as?
misterheck
@RIGay ess-THEET
jlogb
Hahahaha! I was thinking the same thing.
RIGay
Ass-theet?
Kangol2
Uh, the word “aesthete” and related words–“aesthetics” (the study of beauty and goodness, sensuousness and style, etc.), the/an “aesthetic” (style, sensibility, way of being), “aesthetic surgery” (cosmetic surgery, surgery to make something more attractive or appealing), etc., have been in the English language for quite some time. Like since the late 18th century. There was a famous Aesheticist Movement in the mid-to-late 19th century that gave us Gothic Revival churches, the idea of art for art’s sake, and famous artists like Whistler, Rossetti, Oscar Wilde, etc. Even David Bowie could be considered a notable “aesthete.”
Cam
Straight guys in the arts seem very desperate to appear interesting. A lesbian can kiss a guy, a gay man can kiss a woman…but if they aren’t attracted to them, using that kiss to define who they are is just beyond eye rolling.
Donston
That doesn’t always equate to be conventionally “straight”. This site has already done articles about homosexual or gay-identifying men who are not into anal intercourse. Sexuality is weird. There’s definitely dudes who are more comfortable having sex with women (at least for a certain span of time) but still prefer persistent romantic and sexual attentions from guys and affections, emotional connections, relationships from guys. Orientation and sense of self is so particular. There’s really no point in getting so caught up in identity or other people’s motivations any longer. Unless you’re with that person.
Hdtex
Who is she? Who does she hope to be? Why should I care?
Stop making stupid people famous.
maleficent
media whore
jjose712
He really really love gay baiting, but he needs something new, it must be at least the third time he says something like this
Thad
Awww, let him do what he likes. Nobody is being hurt.
And I just discovered the 1975’s music. That’s really what he’s about. I like it.
rray63
I’m now self identifying as a kallih;pal;kjahoiha;jkhaoihe;al;jaleh;oadljhfg. Please respect my decision. For anyone that needs a definition, it’s okay. We don’t really need those as long as we know that we know, that something or someone else knows that we know what we identify as. Got all that?
Hussain-TheCanadian
Good for you rray63 for being your trueself: kallih;pal;kjahoiha;jkhaoihe;al;jaleh;oadljhfg
I myself, from now on will identify as: woofwoof,onyourknees,123456,I’llbringthehandcuffs&feathers
I feel so brave now.
rray63
Oh, as for the article. I would definitely endanger someone’s life for a cheap thrill. It’s okay, it’s not an American so if the poor guy in question was imprisoned, or even killed the artist(?) in question would be able to hold his head high and say, IT’S MY RIGHT.
enlightenone
What an ass!
Donston
What he did was definitely irresponsible. The man was not aiming for a kiss, and you’re in a very homophobic environment. You have security and you’ll be out of the country probably by the next day. Others don’t have that luxury. You sometimes have to weigh the pros and cons when it comes to a desire to be “subversive”. As far as him explaining his sexuality, it’s whatever. Not everything is about attention (though many entertainers do things specifically for that reason), not everything is about sex. Sexuality is a very personal, specific thing. And the romantic, sexual, affection, emotional investment, relationship spectrum is extremely wide and varied. I’m over punishing people for doing whatever they want to do or explaining themselves how they wish to explain themselves. Even if they come off a little douche-y.
Karrnal
checking it out afterward to see if the audience member was prosecuted or persecuted is too late in the game. The performer or his representative should have checked in with the audience member before the concert.
ShowMeGuy
When your music sucks……create media hype by inventing a new FAKE sexual orientation.
Donston
If you feel someone is doing something primarily for attention, you either don’t give them that attention or you take them at face value. Ridiculing or making fun of someone just allows them to feel like a victim. And that is often the aim for many. My only real issue is that he put someone in danger and not really for politics but to feel he was being “subversive” and for a thrill.
TheMarc
He did not come out “aesthete.” He is “aesthete.” That’s not another category. It’s just a trait. Enough.
jcoberkrom
Somebody’s a media whore.