Derek Jarman quotes

Derek Jarman was a British film director, artist, and writer, known for his avant-garde and controversial works. His films often explored themes of sexuality, politics, and history, leaving a lasting influence on British cinema and LGBTQ+ representation. He was also a prominent activist and creator whose legacy endures in both art and social change. Here are 10 of his quotes:

On December 22, 1986, finding I was body positive, I set myself a target: I would disclose my secret and survive Margaret Thatcher. I did. Now I have set my sights on the millennium and a world where we are all equal.

Derek Jarman

Understand that sexuality is as wide as the sea. Understand that your morality is not law. Understand that we are you. Understand that if we decide to have sex whether safe, safer, or unsafe, it is our decision and you have no rights in our lovemaking.

Derek Jarman

All men are homosexual, some turn straight. It must be very odd to be a straight man because your sexuality is hopelessly defensive. It's like an ideal of racial purity.

Derek Jarman

Oh how Shakespeare would have loved cinema!

Derek Jarman

Dear William Shakespeare. I am a 14 year old and I'm queer like you. I'm learning art. I wanted to be a queer artist like Leonardo or Michaelangelo. But I like Francis Bacon best I read Alan Ginsberg, Rimbaud. I like Tchaikovsky, if I make films I will make them like Eisenstein, Murnau, Pasolini, Visconti. Love from Derek.

Derek Jarman

I'm not afraid of death but I am afraid of dying.

Derek Jarman

Pain can be alleviated by morphine but the pain of social ostracism cannot be taken away.

Derek Jarman

The preserve of ambition and folly in pursuit of illusion, or delusion.

Derek Jarman

These names: gay, queer, homosexual are limiting. I would love to finish with them. We're going to have to decide which terms to use and where we use them. For me to use the word 'queer' is a liberation; it was a word that frightened me, but no longer.

Derek Jarman