Event

UNFIT: Ward vs Ward

A powerful new documentary about the stunning custody battle between Mary Ward, a lesbian who came out later in life, and her ex-husband John, a convicted murderer

This powerful documentary tells the stunning story of the custody battle between Mary Ward, a lesbian who came out later in life, and her ex-husband John, a convicted murderer (he killed his first wife). In 1995, Mary Ward filed for an increase in child support from her ex-husband. She was awarded the increase but never expected the firestorm that would ensue. Her ex-husband retaliated by filing for a complete modification in custody, despite the fact that he was behind in child support payments, knew very little about his daughter, nor had spent much time with her, was a convicted killer and had allegedly molested his first daughter from another marriage. Everyone thought this was a stunt by the father to avoid paying child support. Yet after a two hour hearing in Pensacola in August of 1995, Judge Tarbuck ruled that custody should be transferred to the father. While the judge claims that the mother's lesbianism had nothing to do with his decision his ruling stated that "...I believe that this child should be given the opportunity and the option to live in a non-lesbian world" Devastated at her loss, Mary turned to the National Centre for Lesbian Rights to help her appeal and in the process the case hit the headlines across America. If you think what ensues can't happen in contemporary society, think again.
USA, 2012, 74 min., color, Blu-ray / Directors: Edwin Scharlau, Katie Carmichael, Penny Edmiston