Little Mix have won praise from their fans for performing their hit Secret Love Song in front of a rainbow flag at their show in Dubai.
Over the weekend, the band performed for a crowd in Dubai, where homosexuality is punishable with up to 10 years in prison and – as a member of the United Arab Emirates – where strict laws are also in place around the promotion of LGBTQ+ imagery.
However, that didn’t seem to faze the band, as they proudly displayed a rainbow flag during one of their numbers, as shared on a fan Twitter account:
The clip quickly garnered lots of attention on social media, with fans applauding the group for the subtle but poignant demonstration:
Secret Love Song is taken from Little Mix’s third album Get Weird, with the band having said in the past that they had intended for the song to depict a same-sex relationship.
Although when it was released, it featured vocals from Jason Derulo, a second solo version of the song dubbed Part II also appeared on Get Weird, with more lyrics relating to this idea, while the band have frequently dedicated it to their LGBTQ+ fanbase during live performances.
In particular, band member Jade Thirlwall has spoken of her allyship to the LGBTQ+ community, working as an ambassador with the organisation Stonewall.
“I didn’t want to be that person who was like, ‘I love going to gay bars and I have a gay friend’,” Jade told Attitude magazine last year. “I actually wanted to back that up as an ally.
“I wanted to educate myself and learn how to combat homophobia or know what to say when our LGBT+ fans message or send tweets: ’I don’t know what to do, I don’t know how to come out to my parents.
“We have so many LGBT+ fans. If we’re going to benefit from them as a fan base, the least we can do is give them something back. It’s really important to us.”
1. Their Comments About Female Empowerment
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They told Wonderland magazine last year: "Girl power is what we're about. It's what we stand for as a group. We want to do everything we can to make women feel better about themselves."
2. When They Stopped A Song To Comfort Perrie
Perrie was in the middle of a worldwide promo tour when her break-up with Zayn Malik was announced, leading to this emotional moment. Fortunately, she had her BFFs at her side.
3. When Leigh-Anne Refused To Let The Paps Get A Pic Of Perrie Looking Sad
Chiva
When your friend's going through a break-up, you'll do all you can to make sure their ex doesn't see them looking sad, right?
4. And The Accompanying Prom-Themed Photoshoot Was Just As Brilliant As Their Comments
This is a limo we want to ride in.
5. Even If The Prom Itself Isn't All That...
Still, at least they have each other to dance with, right?
6. When They Proved They're Not Afraid Of Telling A Bad Joke...
Even if no one else is laughing, clearly.
7. ...And They'll Laugh Even If They're Not *All* In On It
Oh, Leigh-Anne.
8. When Jesy Said She She'll Be Having The Other Girls As Her Bridesmaids
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She told MailOnline last year: 'I wouldn't have anyone else.'
9. ...Which Is Hardly Surprising, Given How Jade Gushed When Jesy And Jake Got Engaged
'Whenever I see them, I literally watch them like some sort of pervert...' Amazing.
10. When They All Clearly Found This Moment As Hilarious As We Do
Seriously, what is she saying?!
11. When They Celebrated Their Number-One Single With A Sleepover
What we'd give for an invite to one of these get-togethers.
12. When They Hit The Red Carpet With Their Mums...
Mike Marsland via Getty Images
Here they are with their mothers on the red carpet at the Brit Awards. Adorable.
13. ...And Then SLAYED When They Actually Hit The Stage...
Managing to out-stage Adele, Rihanna and Coldplay is no mean feat, but the girls managed it.
14. ...But They Still Sound Great Stripped Back
Take away the bells and whistles, and you still can't fault those harmonies.
15. When They Stick Up For One Another
Danny Martindale via Getty Images
When Katie Hopkins slagged Jesy off on Twitter, Jade spat back, telling HuffPost UK: 'I just think she [Hopkins] is a really sad person... I think it’s really sad that she has to try and find some kind of limelight by slating everyone else."
16. When They Went All Out For Halloween
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They're clearly not afraid of a group costume - though we never had them down as Kiss fans.
17. When Jade Proved She Was The Biggest Little Mix Fan Of All
Check those bed covers - they're Little Mix print!
18. In Fact, We Think Perrie Said It Best...
