Stephan D. Michael papers
Scope and Content of Collection
This collection contains diaries, scrapbooks, correspondence, legal papers, financial records, medical records, textiles, memorabilia, audiotapes and miscellaneous material from Stephan D. Michael. The bulk of the material documents the final five years of his life (1989 - 1994), during which he attended the University of Washington while living with the effects of his HIV-positive status. The collection is divided into two series: (1) Personal Papers and (2) Memorabilia, Textiles and Miscellaneous Material.
Dates
- Creation: 1960-1994
- Creation: Majority of material found within 1990 - 1994
Creator
- Michael, Stephan D. (Person)
Access
The collection is open to researchers. There are no access restrictions.
Publication Rights
Researchers wishing to publish materials must obtain permission in writing from ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives as the physical owner. Researchers must also obtain clearance from the holder(s) of any copyrights in the materials. Note that ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives can grant copyright clearance only for those materials for which we hold the copyright. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain copyright clearance for all other materials directly from the copyright holder(s).
Biography
Stephen Michael Emily was born in Missouri on June 25, 1960; the son of Donald, a Lutheran missionary, and Jean Emily. In the early 1960s, the family moved to Japan, where Stephen was raised until the age of 14. The family returned to the United States and lived in San Francisco, where Stephen eventually attended San Francisco State University and the Academy of Art College. By the 1980s, Stephen's relationship with his family was strained, and he legally changed his name to Stephan Michael in 1981. He continued to live in San Francisco where he worked in various retail jobs.
By the 1990s, Stephan Michael contracted the HIV virus. Having never earned a college degree, he moved to Seattle, Washington, where he attended the University of Washington and lived with his partner, Eric Phillips. Throughout the rest of his life--with the support of Phillips and a woman named Jane May (whom he refers to as "Aunt")--he attended college classes while living with the circumstances of his HIV-positive status. In December 1993, he received his Bachelor's degree from the University of Washington. Less than a year later, Stephan Michael died of AIDS on November 2, 1994 in Seattle.
Extent
3.6 Linear Feet
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Diaries, correspondence, legal papers, medical records, financial records, textiles, memorabilia, audiotapes, scrapbooks, photographs, notes and miscellaneous typescripts of Stephan D. Michael, who documented the last years of his life before dying of AIDS in 1994, at the age of 34. The materials document Michael's childhood in Japan; his relationship with his estranged family as well as past lovers; his financial troubles relating to his medical bills; and his final years attending the University of Washington while dealing with the circumstances of his HIV-positive status.
Acquisition Information
Gift of Jane May, April 7, 1994.
Separated Material
The following book has been transferred to the ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archive library collection: Tony Kushner, Angels in America, 1993.
General Physical Description note
3 archive cartons + 2 oversize flat archive cartons.
Processing Information
Collection processed by Loni Shibuyama, June 27, 2008.
Processing this collection has been funded by a generous grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.
Subject
- Michael, Stephan D. (Person)
- Title
- Finding aid of the Stephan D. Michael Papers
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Loni Shibuyama
- Date
- © 2008
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in: English
Repository Details
Part of the ONE Archives at the USC Libraries, University of Southern California Repository
909 West Adams Boulevard
Los Angeles California 90007 United States
(213) 821-2771
askone@usc.edu