Gaylactic Network records, 1986-2005

(bulk 1987-1991)

John Hay Library, Special Collections
Box A
Brown University
Providence, RI 02912
Tel: 401-863-2146
email: hay@brown.edu

Published in 2013

Collection Overview

Title:	Gaylactic Network records
Date range:	1986-2005, (bulk 1987-1991)
Creator:	Hummel, Franklin
Extent:	7 linear feet
Abstract:	The Gaylactic Network records consist of administrative records, newsletters, correspondence and promotional material for the years 1986-2005 and were compiled by Franklin Hummel. The collection covers the activities of both the Gaylactic Network and most of its local member organizations, as well as their annual conference Gaylaxicon.
Language of materials:	English
Repository:	John Hay Library, Special Collections
Collection number:	Ms.2005.3

Scope & content

The bulk of the material in this collection represents the period of Franklin Hummel’s active involvement with both Gaylaxians International (GI) and the Gaylaxian Science Fiction Society (GSFS), the Boston member group. The collection contains GI bylaws and membership directories, promotional material (both print and artifactual), correspondence to and from the organization, GI’s newsletters and programs from its annual conference Gaylaxicon. There are numerous newspaper and magazine clippings of articles about Gaylaxians International and its letter-writing campaign to include gay characters on "Star Trek: The Next Generation."

Also included in the collection are newsletters and promotional material for many of GI’s member organizations, programs from other science fiction/fantasy conferences, newspaper clippings relating to gay themes and interest in science fiction, Star Trek fan club newsletters and fanzines, along with episode guides and product catalogs.

Access Points

Subject Names

• Hummel, Franklin
• Roddenberry, Gene

Subject Organizations

• Gaylactic Network
• Gaylactic Science Fiction Society
• Gaylaxians International

Subject Topics

• Fanzines
• Gay clubs
• Science fiction fans
• Science fiction. Societies, etc.
• Star trek television programs
• Star trek, the next generation (Television program)

Document Types

• Announcements
• Artifacts
• Banners
• Buttons (information artifacts)
• Clippings
• Directories
• Letters (Correspondence)
• Newsletters
• Programs
• T-shirts

Subject Topics

• Race, Ethnicity and Gender

Arrangement

This collection is divided into five series:

• Series 1. Gaylactic Network/Gaylaxians International
• Series 2. Member groups
• Series 3. Gay/lesbian science fiction
• Series 4. Star Trek
• Series 5. Miscellaneous science fiction, fantasy, comics

Biographical note

The Gaylaxian Science Fiction Society (GSFS) of Boston was founded in 1986 by Franklin Hummel and John Dumas as a social organization for gay and lesbian science fiction and fantasy fans based in New England. In 1987 Hummel founded the Gaylactic Network (later called Gaylaxians International) as an umbrella organization for the many gay fandom clubs like the Gaylaxian Science Fiction Society that were forming locally in the United States and abroad. During the period covered by this collection, the Network has numbered as many as 15 member organizations.

Gaylaxians International has held an annual conference called Gaylaxicon since 1987, as well as published a newsletter called "The Gaylactic Gayzette" from 1987 to 1991. Although it represents a wide range of interests in science fiction/fantasy literature and popular culture, Gaylaxians International may be best known for its spirited advocacy of openly gay characters on the television series "Star Trek:The Next Generation" in the late-1980’s and early 1990’s. Their letter-writing campaign to Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry and his staff generated an unprecedented amount of mail to the show. One result of this campaign--an episode titled "The Outcast" that aired on Mar. 16, 1992--received mixed reactions from the Gaylaxians to what they felt was a too conservative step, albeit one in the right direction.

Although Gaylaxians International remains active, Franklin Hummel left the group in 1992.

Access & Use

Access to the collection:	There are no restrictions on access, except that the collection can only be seen by prior appointment. Some materials may be stored off-site and cannot be produced on the same day on which they are requested.
Use of the materials:	Although Brown University has physical ownership of the collection and the materials contained therein, it does not claim literary rights. Researchers should note that compliance with copyright law is their responsibility. Researchers must determine the owners of the literary rights and obtain any necessary permissions from them.
Preferred citation:	Gaylactic Network records, Ms. 2005.3, Brown University Library.
Contact information:	John Hay Library, Special Collections Box A Brown University Providence, RI 02912 Tel: 401-863-2146 email: hay@brown.edu

Administrative Information

ABOUT THE COLLECTION
Acquisition:	The records of the Gaylactic Network were given to Brown University in 2000 and 2005 by Franklin Hummel of Boston, Massachusetts.
ABOUT THE FINDING AID
Author:	Finding aid prepared by Deborah Peterson.
Encoding:	This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit 2013-11-25
Descriptive rules:	Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS)

Additional Information

Related material:	RESOURCES AND WEBSITES AT OTHER INSTITUTIONSAdditional information regarding the Gaylactic Network and affiliated organizations can be located on the following web sites: Gaylactic NetworkGaylaxian Science Fiction SocietyGaylaxicon
Other information:	Brown University Library catalog record for this collection: Gaylactic Network records

Inventory

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