Records of Dignity/New York President Michael J. Olivieri

Provenance

The collection was donated by Michael Olivieri on December 16, 1991.

Scope and Content

The collection consists of Michael Olivieri’s papers from the time he was involved in Dignity/New York. It includes but is not limited to court cases (Dignity v. Benjamin Ward, et. al., and Michael Olivieri, et.,al. v. Benjamin Ward, et.,al.), personal correspondence, flyers, church bulletins, rental agreements from St. Francis of Xavier Church, Board of Director meeting minutes, newsletters, and more. The collection reflects the early history of the organization. See also: Collection 74, Dignity New York, Inc. Records

History or Bio

In 1982 Michael Olivieri was elected to serve as President of Dignity/New York. He remained in that leadership role for three years. As President, Olivieri established their first AIDS ministry and healing liturgy. He also was a representative to Mayor Koch on the Police Council on Lesbian and Gay Issues. In 1985, he was the main plaintiff against the City of New York for Dignity. The case itself dealt with the public access to the sidewalk in front of St. Patrick’s Cathedral. While the court originally ruled in the City’s favor, the Supreme Court overturned the lower courts decision, creating a big victory for Dignity. Then in 1988, Olivieri served as Coordinator of Catholic Liturgies, which ultimately led to the formation of Dignity/Big Apple, New York’s second Dignity chapter in Manhattan. Olivieri also founded The Defenders Leather Levi Club, an affiliate of Dignity. He remained an active member for eleven years and was elected to serve as its President a year before he died of AIDS-related complications on February 7, 1993, less than a month after his 50th birthday.

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