Derek Jarman interview on activism, art, and gay liberation (1991)

On 15 November 1991, artist, filmmaker, writer, and gay rights activist Derek Jarman sat down with ITN’s Fiona Murch to discuss the 21st anniversary of the founding of the gay liberation movement. Known for influential works such as Sebastiane (1976), Jubilee (1978), The Angelic Conversation (1985), Caravaggio (1986), and The Garden (1990), Jarman is credited with making some of the first films to include positive depictions of gay sexuality and lifestyle. A tireless and outspoken activist, through the 1980s Jarman was a leader of the campaign against Clause 28 (also known as Section 28), legislation introduced by the government of Margaret Thatcher that banned the “promotion“ of homosexuality in UK schools. Jarman also worked to raise awareness of HIV and AIDS during the epidemic of the 1980s, himself having been diagnosed as HIV positive in December 1986. Speaking to Fiona Murch, Jarman discussed the progress made in advancing and protecting gay rights in Britain. He discussed campaign