Mary Pickert Papers

Collection

Identifier: PICK

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The collection consists of VHS tapes and U-Matic (3/4") tapes including the commitment ceremony of a Los Angeles based lesbian couple, Rabbi Lisa Edwards, of Beth Chayim Chadashim, and Tracy Moore, in 1995. Mary Pickert filmed the ceremony and an interview with the couple for her proposed documentary, "That's Amore" which was never completed. The intent of the documentary was to profile long-term gay and lesbian couples -- looking at their lives, their expectations and how they crafted their relationships in a time when gay marriage was not legal in the United States. Included in the collection are the interview tapes, transcripts, edit notes, and unrelated personal papers.

Also included is a transcript of an interview with a Los Angeles based gay male couple. Richard and Ron, who had been together for over 40 years at the time of the interview, along with other gay marriage television specials on VHS.

Dates

Creation: 1984-1998

Conditions Governing Access

There are no restrictions on the collection. The collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Property rights to the physical objects belong to the June L. Mazer Lesbian Archives. All other rights, including copyright, are retained by the creators and their heirs. It is the responsibility of the researcher to determine who holds the copyright and pursue the copyright owner or heir for permission to publish where the June L. Mazer Lesbian Archives do not hold the copyright.

Biographical / Historical

Mary Pickert had over a 30-year career in the entertainment business, working in production and development, for independent producers, and at Paramount, Disney and ABC. Included in her credits was Associate Producer on "The 50th Anniversary of the Bikini," and digital producer for a number of shows at ABC.

In addition, Mary was a member of ACT UP (the AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power) in both New York City and Los Angeles, a participant in WAC (Women's Action Coalition), a co-founder of the Dyke March in Los Angeles in 1993, and has also been involved in a number of environmental activities, including being a volunteer leader for the Sierra Club, a planting supervisor for Tree People and a graduate of a "Nature for All" cohort, learning environmental advocacy.