Diane Hugs papers
Finding aid created by GLBT Historical Society staff using RecordEXPRESS
GLBT Historical Society
2023
989 Market Street, Lower Level
San Francisco, California 94103
(415) 777-5455
reference@glbthistory.org
http://www.glbthistory.org/
Title: Diane Hugs papers
Dates: 1982-2001
Collection Number: 2001-26
Creator/Collector:
Hugaert, Diane
Extent: 1 carton
Repository:
GLBT Historical Society
San Francisco, California 94103
Abstract: Diane Hugaert, known in her activist and literary life as Diane Hugs, was a prominent early member of the Wry Crips, a disabled
women’s theater group with close ties to the disability rights movement. Much of the collection consists of Hugs’ detailed
and emotional diaries (kept from 1982 to 2001), which chronicle her relationships, her activism, the progression of her illness,
and her work to recover from childhood trauma.
Language of Material: English
Collection is open for research, with the exception of material related to an allegation of sexual abuse in Hugs’ community,
which has been restricted; redacted copies are available.
Copyright to material has been transferred to the GLBT Historical Society. All requests for reproductions and/or permission
to publish or quote from material must be submitted in writing to the GLBT Historical Society Archivist.
[Identification of item]. Diane Hugs papers. Collection Number: 2001-26. GLBT Historical Society
The collection was donated to the GLBT Historical Society by Audrey Smith in 2001.
Biography/Administrative History
Diane Hugaert, known in her activist and literary life as Diane Hugs, was a prominent early member of the Wry Crips, a disabled
women’s theater group with close ties to the disability rights movement. Hugs, who had multiple sclerosis (MS) and experienced
dissociative episodes as a result of childhood sexual abuse, was the first coordinator and a board member of the group. She
had worked with and advocated for people with disabilities before becoming disabled herself.
Scope and Content of Collection
Much of the collection consists of Hugs’ detailed and emotional diaries (kept from 1982 to 2001), which chronicle her relationships,
her activism, the progression of her illness, and her work to recover from childhood trauma. It also includes other personal
writing, such as essays, poetry, correspondence, and fiction, as well as a trophy from the National Wheelchair Women's Basketball
Tournament and Hugs’ purple-banded hat. There are also materials related to the Wry Crips, including extensive writing by
members, as well as meeting minutes, production notes, and the group’s by-laws, procedures and guidelines (1989), which Hugs
co-wrote with Cheryl Marie Wade. GSSO linked terms: http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/GSSO_008520; http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/GSSO_000381;
http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/GSSO_004301
Lesbians
People with disabilities
Theater