Steps turn down Dubai gig over ‘don’t mention sexuality’ clause
The dance-pop group, which rose to fame in the 1990s, performed a concert in the United Arab Emirates in 2018 and Watkins said that the country’s laws have changed since then and are a lot more “archaic” now.
Attending the Attitude Pride Awards 2023, which celebrates LGBT+ people who have positively impacted the community, Watkins told The Standard: “Recently, we were offered an amazing gig in Dubai.
“The human rights policies are utterly appalling. I took a stand and said, ‘No, I’m not going to do it.’
“They offered us a lovely sum of money but in the contract, it did say, ‘no mention of sexuality’ and our whole show is based around being a safe place, being comfortable in your own skin and being your absolute authentic self.
“So for me, it was a no brainer, I would rather lose the money than do the show. Everybody supported my decision, but I did say, ‘you’re very welcome to do the show without me, but I can’t do it.’”
When asked his opinion about other artists, notably Beyonce, choosing to perform in the Emirate, he said: “That’s their decision but I’m completely comfortable in my skin. I am happy with who I am and I want to be that person who speaks up for people who can’t.
“Especially being a dad, I want my children to live in a more inclusive, respectful world.”
Discussing the band’s 2018 concert in the UAE, the singer feared he would be arrested for defiantly going against the Emirates’s strict laws during their show.
He continued: “We did a gig in Dubai five years ago, and there were clauses in the contract, but I went against it. I had a same sex partner, I held his hand on stage and also at the end of our show, we had in big rainbow letters that read ‘love wins’.
“And I was fearful for my life because when I came offstage I didn’t know if I was going to be arrested. I wasn’t but, if we did that again, the nation’s views are so archaic, I would be used as an example and I don’t want to be censored.”
Steps came together following an advert in The Stage entertainment magazine in 1997 looking for a new band.
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The fivesome celebrated 20 years since their formation with a comeback album and UK tour in 2017 and in 2022 they released a Platinum Collection album.
