US-RPB-ms2005.3 Gaylactic Network records1986-2005 (bulk 1987-1991) Finding aid prepared by Deborah Peterson. Brown University Library

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

2013 This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit 2013-11-25 English Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS) Gaylactic Network records Ms.2005.3 John Hay LibrarySpecial Collections

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

English 7 linear feet (bulk 1987-1991) 1986-2005 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. Hummel, Franklin Gaylactic Network records 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.

Collection information

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.

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

Gaylactic Network records, Ms. 2005.3, Brown University Library.

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.

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.

Administrative information

The records of the Gaylactic Network were given to Brown University in 2000 and 2005 by Franklin Hummel of Boston, Massachusetts.

Additional information

Brown University Library catalog record for this collection: Gaylactic Network records

RESOURCES AND WEBSITES AT OTHER INSTITUTIONS

Additional information regarding the Gaylactic Network and affiliated organizations can be located on the following web sites: Gaylactic Network Gaylaxian Science Fiction Society Gaylaxicon

Names Gaylactic Network Gaylactic Science Fiction Society Gaylaxians International Hummel, Franklin Roddenberry, Gene Subjects Fanzines Gay clubs Science fiction fans Science fiction. Societies, etc. Star trek television programs Star trek, the next generation (Television program) Types of Materials Announcements Artifacts Banners Buttons (information artifacts) Clippings Directories Letters (Correspondence) Newsletters Programs T-shirts RIAMCO Browsing Term Race, Ethnicity and Gender Gaylactic Network/Gaylaxians International Series 1 1-4, 7 5.0 boxes 1986-2005 Bylaws and charter 1 1 1990-1999 Member group policies 1 2 1990-2005 Executive board 1 3 1989-1998 Financial records - Receipts 1 4 1987-1998 Financial records - Statements, ledgers 1 5 1987-1997 Membership directories 1 6-7 1987-1998 Membership forms, completed 1 8-9 1987-1992 Membership forms, blank 1 10 1987-1992 Gaylactic Gayzette newsletter 1 11-12 1987-1991 Gaylactic Gayzette newsletter - Original layouts, paste-ups 1 13 1987-1991 Correspondence, incoming 1 14-15 1986-1987 Correspondence, incoming 2 1-13 1988-1999, undated Correspondence, outgoing 2 14-25 1986-1999, undated Correspondence, newsgroup/email 2 26 1995-2002 Correspondence, miscellaneous notes 2 27 Campaign to include gay characters on Star Trek 2 28 1991-1992 Scope and Contents note

Promotional flyers, press releases, letters to Gene Roddenberry and Star Trek staff.

Campaign to include gay characters on Star Trek 2 29 1991-1992 Scope and Contents note

Media coverage

Campaign to include gay characters on Star Trek 3 1 1990-1992 Scope and Contents note

Member letters

Campaign to include gay characters on Star Trek 3 2 1989-1992 Scope and Contents note

Responses to campaign

Campaign to include gay characters on Star Trek 3 3 1992 Scope and Contents note

Membership and media responses to Outcast episode.

GNAPA: Gaylactic Amateur Press Association 3 4-11 1992-1999 Scope and Contents note

Newsletter

GNAPA: Gaylactic Amateur Press Assocation 3 12 1995-2000 Scope and Contents note

Correspondence

GNAPA: Gaylactic Amateur Press Association 3 13-14 1993-1995 Scope and Contents note

Collected member newsletters

Gaylaxicon 3 15-24 1987-1998 Gaylaxicon 4 1-2 1999-2000 Worldcon 4 3 1986-1995 Miscellaneous conferences 4 4 1987-1992 Conference forms and flyers 4 5 [ca. 1990] Promotional material: printed matter 4 6 Scope and Contents note

Banners

Promotional material: printed matter 4 7 Scope and Contents note

Buttons

Promotional material: printed matter 4 8 Scope and Contents note

Flyers

Promotional material: printed matter 4 9 Scope and Contents note

Letterhead

Promotional material: printed matter 4 10 Scope and Contents note

Logos

Promotional material: printed matter 4 11 Scope and Contents note

Posters

Promotional material: printed matter 4 12 Scope and Contents note

Signs

Promotional material: printed matter 4 13 Scope and Contents note

Writings about GN/GI

Promotional material: printed matter 4 14 Scope and Contents note

Spectrum Awards

Promotional material: museum objects 7 1 Scope and Contents note

2 tee shirts, 1.5 yds. pink cotton canvas

Promotional material: museum objects 7 2 Scope and Contents note

5 tee shirts

Promotional material: museum objects 7 3 Scope and Contents note

2 tee shirts, scraps of fabric

Promotional material: museum objects 7 4 Scope and Contents note

1 coffee mug, numerous promotional pins

Promotional material: museum objects 7 5 Scope and Contents note

Silkscreen master of Gaylaxian logo

Member groups Series 2 4-5 2.0 boxes 1986-1999 Boston Gay Science Fiction Society 4 15 1989-1999 Scope and Contents note

Bylaws, charter

Boston Gay Science Fiction Society 4 16 1989-1997 Scope and Contents note

Executive board

Boston Gay Science Fiction Society 4 17 1986-1992 Scope and Contents note

Financial papers

Boston Gay Science Fiction Society 4 18 1987-1992 Scope and Contents note

Membership directories

Boston Gay Science Fiction Society 4 19-23 1986-1990 Scope and Contents note

Gaylaxian newsletter

Boston Gay Science Fiction Society 5 1-9 1991-1999 Scope and Contents note

Gaylaxian newsletter

Boston Gay Science Fiction Society 5 10 1986-1992 Scope and Contents note

Correspondence - Frank Hummel

Boston Gay Science Fiction Society 5 11 1989-1999 Scope and Contents note

Correspondence - Denice Thornhill

Boston Gay Science Fiction Society 5 12 1990-1992 Scope and Contents note

Correspondence - Information requests

Boston Gay Science Fiction Society 5 13 1996-1999 Scope and Contents note

Correspondence - Newsgroup postings and email

Boston Gay Science Fiction Society 5 14 Scope and Contents note

Promotional material

Capital District Gaylaxians (Albany/Schenectady/Troy, NY) 5 15-16 1987-1992 Scope and Contents note

Newsletter

Capital District Gaylaxians (Albany/Schenectady/Troy, NY) 5 17 Scope and Contents note

Membership list, correspondence, promotional material, map, newspaper clipping

Great Lakes Gaylaxians (Southeastern MI) 5 18a Scope and Contents note

Bylaws, correspondence, promotional material

Great Lakes Gaylaxians (Southeastern MI) 5 18b Scope and Contents note

Newsletter

Krewe of Gaylaxia 5 19 1991 Lambda Sci-Fi: DC-Area Gaylaxians 5 20 1989-1995 Scope and Contents note

Correspondence, promotional material

Lambda Sci-Fi: DC-Area Gaylaxians 5 21 1990-1998 Scope and Contents note

Newsletter

Lo-Cal Gaylaxians 5 22 1992 North Country Gaylaxians (Minnesota) 5 23 1990-1991 PHAG: Philadelphia Area Gaylaxians 5 24 1989-1991 Tri-State Gaylaxians/Greater Gotham Gaylaxians (NY/NJ) 5 25 1988-1990 Kindred Spirits/Gateway Gaylaxians 5 26 1991-1995 Third Coast Gaylaxians (Milwaukee, Wis.) 5 28 1993-1994 Space Club (Long Beach, Calif.) 5 29 1989 Plain's End Gaylaxians (Denver, Colo.) 5 30 1993 Niagara Falls Gaylactic Colonizers 5 31 International groups: Gdansk, Glasgow 5 32 General gay/lesbian science fiction Series 3 6 6.0 folders 1958-1996 APA Lambda 6 1 1988-1991 Bibliographies, reader's guides 6 2 1992-1996 K/S, slash 6 3 1990-1994 Magazine articles 6 4 1980-1991 Miscellaneous flyers, correspondence, newsletters 6 5 1987-1994 Novels 6 6 1958-1986 Star Trek Series 4 6 8.0 folders 1985-1994 Associations, conventions, catalogs, press clippings 6 7 1986-1994 Fanzines, newsletters 6 8 1992-1993 Scope and Contents note

CCSTSG Enterprise

Fanzines, newsletters 6 9 1988-1993 Scope and Contents note

Data entries

Fanzines, newsletters 6 10 1992-1993 Scope and Contents note

Galactic 911

Fanzines, newsletters 6 11 1990-1991 Scope and Contents note

Star Trek, the Next Generation

Fanzines, newsletters 6 12 1992-1993 Scope and Contents note

Star Trek official fan club

Fanzines, newsletters 6 13 1985-1993 Scope and Contents note

Miscellaneous newsletters

Episode guides 6 14 1991-1992 Miscellaneous science fiction/fantasy/comics Series 5 6 5.0 folders 1981-1995 Clubs 6 15 1988-1991 Fiction, bibliographies, reader's guides 6 16 1983-1990 Magazine articles, press clippings 6 17 1981-1991 Merchandise, catalogs 6 18 Miscellaneous 6 19 1985-1990