Gaylactic Network records (Ms.2005.3)

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.