Botkin (Michael C.) Papers, 1991-1997

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Scope and content:: The collection consists of material that was part of the memorial service for Michael C. Botkin. Most of the articles are photocopies and were included in a binder at the service for guests to browse. The pamphlet from the memorial service includes a biography penned in part by his long time partner, Steven J. Finlay. The papers also include a photograph of Botkin being grabbed by the arm by a San Francisco Police officer in riot gear. GSSO Linked Terms: http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/GSSO_008497; http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/GSSO_000374; http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/GSSO_000521; http://purl.bioontology.org/ontology/MESH/D008603
Biographical / historical:: Michael C. Botkin was born April 30, 1957 in West Rogers Park, Chicago, Illinois. Michael and his long time partner, Steven J. Finlay moved to Orange County, CA in 1988 so Michael could enroll in a Ph.D. internship. Shortly after beginning the internship, Michael was diagnosed with AIDS. After completing the internship, the couple moved to San Francisco where Michael took a job as a therapist at Operation Concern as well as in the AIDS Health Project. He also worked as a writer and editor for Diseased Pariah News and for Processed World (where he often wrote under the pen name Kwazee Wabbitt). Michael was a columnist at the Bay Area Reporter for six years and won the Cable Car Award in 1996. He died on August 8, 1996.
Acquisition information:: Gift of Steve Finlay on July 13, 1997.

Subjects:: Journalism
Gay men
AIDS (disease)
Mental health
Journalism--California--San Francisco Bay Area.
Gay men --Sexual behavior.
AIDS activists

Collection Guide Author:: Finding aid created by GLBT Historical Society staff.
Date Prepared:: 1991-1997
Date Encoded:: This finding aid was produced using Record Express for OAC5 on July 14, 2025, 2:54 p.m.

Access and use

Restrictions:: Collection is open for research. Funding for processing this collection was provided by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC).
Terms of access:: Copyright to unpublished manuscript materials has been transferred to the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Historical Society.

Location of this collection:: GLBT Historical Society

989 Market Street, Lower Level

San Francisco, CA 94103, US