{"value"=>"<p>Files are arranged alphabetically by subject. Pickett compiled these files, which deal almost exclusively with gay themes, as morgue files for use in preparing the many articles he published in gay newspapers and magazines. They consist largely of clippings from New York newspapers (e.g., the Times, Daily News, Post, and Soho Weekly News), popular magazines, and gay newspapers and magazines (e.g., Advocate, Gay Community News). Also included are flyers, press releases, and other printed ephemera issued by various gay organizations (primarily New York City-based); some correspondence from gay activists; clippings and photocopied typescripts of articles written by Pickett; and miscellaneous notes. Most items date from 1974-80, with relatively little having been added after 1980.</p> <p>Pickett's files are strongest in documenting issues of special interest to the New York gay community, as well as the work of individual gay activists and organizations within New York City. Topics which are particularly well covered include anti-gay violence and police harassment; gay - straight conflicts within Greenwich Village; and the Christopher Park Gay Pride Sculpture Project controversy (1980). Gay activist groups which are well documented include the Hunter College Lesbians Rising/Gay Men's Alliance, Gay Activists' Alliance, Gay Anarchists, and the Coalition for Lesbian and Gay Rights. Some materials--e.g., position papers and other conference materials from the National Post- March on Washington Conference for Lesbian and Gay Rights held in Oberlin, OH in 1980--illuminate efforts on the part of gay activists to form a national coordinating body.</p> <p> Pickett also gathered extensive files on the North American Man/Boy Love Association (NAMBLA). The files--which consist of correspondence, clippings, press releases, ephemera, serial issues, and copies of Pickett's articles on NAMBLA--trace founder David Thorstad's related activities in the gay rights movement; NAMBLA's founding and early conferences (1978-79); and especially its divisive effect within the New York gay rights movement, first in 1980 and again in 1983 when various groups sought to expel NAMBLA from the Coalition for Lesbian and Gay Rights.</p> <p>The subject files also document Pickett's interests in gay music, film, and religion, among other subjects. Pickett collected information on various gay rock bands, particularly the punk group, Plasmatics, and the transvestite rock singer, Wayne/Jayne County. His file on the 5th New York Gay Film Festival (1983), for which Pickett served as administrative coordinator, includes notes, flyers, clippings, correspondence, publicity and ad solicitation mailing lists, and a copy of the program. Pickett's religion files contain clippings, ephemera, and correspondence relating to several gay ministries; gays' struggle for recognition and acceptance by mainstream religious denominations; and Madalyn Murray O'Hair and gay atheism. A final item of note is a copy of Now East (1980), an elaborate parody of a gay magazine prepared by a disgruntled client to expose lawyer Roy Cohn's homosexuality and distributed by the thousands in Manhattan.</p>"}