SECTION 28 AND ME BY TOM MARSHMAN

 

"Speaking to some community members has helped me understand better the effects of Section 28 and the devastating loss created by the AIDS crisis. They opened up to me with such generosity and curiosity and even let me borrow the Thatcher Wig!"
- Tom Marshman

Exploring the impact of Section 28 legislation introduced by Margaret Thatcher's Conservative government, this video piece hears some personal experiences of the AIDS crisis, its devastating effects, and the enduring grief and loss experienced by queer people at the time and continuing today. 

This work has been created by Tom Marshman in collaboration with Sam Halmarack and Paul Blakemore of Helm Films at an urgent time for raising awareness of LGBTQI+ censorship and removal from education. Whilst governments display concerning viewpoints on what can or cannot be discussed from our history, it is vital for communities to gather and be heard.

 

TOM MARSHMAN

Tom Marshman has been a practising artist for 21 years, and produced over 60 projects, across many mediums, including museum audio-tours, theatre & cabaret. Actively encouraging dialogue with participants, through socially engaged processes such as ‘Tea Parties’, allows him evocative glimpses into everyday life, letting him tell engaging, poetic & unpretentious stories. An overarching theme of his work is that of the outsider & their story, particularly regarding the LGBTQ+ experience, stories that have been omitted through archival silence. 

Tom has shown work in a variety of venues including Bristol Old Vic, Arnolfini (Bristol), Oval House, Chapter Arts Centre, Battersea Arts Centre, Basement Brighton, Colchester Arts Centre Exeter Phoenix and within festivals including National Review of Live Art, Inbetween Time, National Trust and White Nights. 

Photo by Paul Blakemore

 

CREDITS

Conceived and performed by Tom Marshman, film produced by Helm Films

Made in collaboration with Weston’s LGBTQI’s community: Matt Fleming, Noelle Griffin and John Crockford Hawley

Commissioned by Ad Infinitum and Culture Weston.