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Stephan D. Michael papers

 Collection — Box: 1
Identifier: Coll2008-045

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

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.

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

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