Rosen appearing on After Dark, 'Pride and Prejudice' broadcast 4/6/89, Channel 4

Date:
1989
Reference:
PP/ROS/N/1/2
Part of:
The Archive of Ismond Rosen (1924-1996)
  • Archives and manuscripts

About this work

Description

Channel 4 programme After Dark discussion programme on the 20th anniversary of the Stonewall riots in New York City, USA, June 1969. Entitled 'Pride and Prejudice' on how things have changed or what progress has been made since the 1960s in terms of gay rights. An Open Media Production for Channel 4. (Justin Scroggie was part of the production team on the programme).

Content: The video contains a complete recording of the programme broadcast on 4 June 1989. The discussion was intended to cover the experiences of the participants in the 1960s, any experience specifically related to Stonewall riots, and to make comparisons to the situation for gay men and women in 1989. The discussion participants were Martin Sherman, playwrite, Jo Purvis, music presenter, Dr Ole Espersen, Justice Spokeseman for the SDP, Denmark, Jenny Wilson a member of Stonewall group, Russell Watkyn, a retired company director, Ken Skeates the father of a lesbian daughter and Ismond Rosen, psychiatrist. Each participant, except Rosen, is asked to speak about their relevant personal experiences in the 1960s. The discussion moves on to examine some experiences with psychiatrists and the attitude of psychiatrists treating homosexual or lesbian child or adult patients. Rosen is asked about the strategies he would employ with a person seeing him in connection with their sexual identity. Rosen explains that a person who does not want to change is never going to change; psychiatrists are there to help people to 'come forth' and produce the real person that is there; psychiatrists deal with the patient's anxieties and conflicts that often occur when they are coming to terms with their perceived sexuality; the patient must see the psychiatrist of their own volition, not under duress. In response to being asked if he believes that homosexuality is normal or an abberration Rosen states that it is the result of difficulties in the complex process of sexual development and when something goes awry. His job as a psychiatrist is to understand that process, not to deem whether something is normal or not. From here on the discussion develops and during it Rosen is challenged a number of times on his views or asked to explain them in more detail as a professional speaking to lay people. There is a certain amount of hostility from various participants towards Rosen's views. In short, the objection is towards the implication that something goes 'wrong' in the person's development so that they 'deviate' from the ordinary or normal path of development, i.e. heterosexuality. The discussion also covers the question of whether people are 'born gay' or become gay through circumstances in their childhood or youth.

In this programme Rosen expounds his views on homosexuality and responds to challenges from other participants which enable him to set forth his views in futher detail. He engages frequently with Martin Sherman over views and interpretations.

Publication/Creation

1989

Physical description

1 video cassette: approx. 2hrs, 11 mins

Where to find it

  • LocationStatusAccess
    Closed stores

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