On the 30th milestone of the first diagnosed case of AIDS, an intimate look at the life and vision of the playwright, author, public health advocate and LGBT rights activist whose journey has inspired and saved lives of millions
AIDS activist Larry Kramer is the featured subject of the next installment of Iconography, an exclusive series that honors the life, career, and impact of iconic personalities on SiriusXM’s 24/7 LGBT channel OutQ (channel 108). Iconography: Larry Kramer offers an intimate look at the life and work of playwright, author, public health advocate, and LGBT rights activist.
OutQ will air vignettes featuring Kramer throughout the entire month beginning June 3. Iconography: Larry Kramer culminates with a one-hour, exclusive interview with Kramer conducted by OutQ host Larry Flick premiering June 18 at 1 pm ET. Encore presentations of the interview will air on OutQ on June 18 at 7 pm ET, June 19 at 12 pm and 6 pm ET, June 25 at 1 pm and 7 pm ET and June 26 at 12 pm and 6 pm ET.
Kramer sat down with Flick for the in-depth Iconography interview in the New York City apartment where he formed the Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC) in 1980 and AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power (ACT UP) in 1987. Kramer reveals to Flick the events that put him on the path to become one of the most profound and influential voices in gay history. He also offers insight into the creation of his acclaimed play The Normal Heart, which is currently enjoying a Tony®-nominated revival on Broadway.
“It’s as important now, as it has ever been, to be a strong and resounding voice demanding action in this world," Kramer says, noting the 30-year milestone of the AIDS pandemic this June 2011. During his conversation with Flick, he describes how his work is "haunted by the literally countless lives lost" to the disease, and how they inform and motivate his current mission to "establish actual and honest gay history in schools.”
Throughout the Iconography interview, Kramer reveals the details surrounding his own diagnosis with HIV, his several near-death experiences in battling his illness, and how his tumultuous coming out as a gay man almost resulted in his suicide. "It's time to stop the lies," he asserts. "It's time that the world acknowledged that we as gay people have always been here. We didn't just appear out of nowhere."
Deeply personal and frank, Iconography: Larry Kramer shows how one man's journey has inspired and saved the lives of millions.
SiriusXM debuted Iconography in March 2011 with visionary designer and filmmaker Tom Ford. SiriusXM OutQ offers groundbreaking coverage of social and political issues, as well as music and entertainment programming, produced by and for the LGBT community. For more information, visit www.siriusxm.com/outq.
