https://d1y502jg6fpugt.cloudfront.net/1461/archive/files/724bc7ba02f299be97a6f704ca489f69.pdf?Expires=1779321600&Signature=Y1lrf%7Ep7ecDwZr3r-RCEvSAo2F9F39AnUK3O-EoI7SIpHFkXkqkHN2LDxttWoOLhjMhs0dy6oaIdohXb3fFpy6KnXEYYR68SJYMAoe58MwLaeFoVbaNk49L29AJq0CBU0DLtDUXIC9lz5PwBx5w%7E38cdkv%7EV8G49oqVsBtIM8NsnCJxK45nRBK5cDR8cgOeSg%7ERf4b%7En4guUyGTL0sAMWQIISzoxNZJVJRfsJzTaNIagkH3h9r4aYwrmdZG9lr4ftsBWWxNL8mf81iaXlEcbRKy1LMdzXLoLP9bjVkDyloxZ9U2gh-qAX-zVvmV-DlKHzlEA8WWA4h6jSxyB4urkqQ__&Key-Pair-Id=K6UGZS9ZTDSZM acd46b86169859b0f4e9a0c5b478773e PDF Text Text Archives and Research Finding Aid Collection Name: Collection Number: Gaylaxians Collection No. 94 COLLECTION SUMMARY Finding aid prepared for The History Project, Archives and Research Department by Jim Jacobs, volunteer under the supervision of William Holden October, 2016 Creator(s): Title: Extent: Date Span: Repository: ? Gaylaxians 1 box (.5 linear foot) July, 1986 to Summer, 1999 The History Project, Archives and Records Department ABSTRACT: In February, 1986, Franklin Hummel and John Dumas formed a social group centered originally in Massachusetts but later including New Hampshire, for gay people and their friends who were interested in science fiction and fantasy. The group met periodically (the intention was monthly) at members’ homes. The group initially considered naming itself “Gay Science Fiction Fandom”, but settled on calling itself “The Gaylaxians”. It claimed to be “the first [organization] for gay fandom in the world”. By June, 1986, fourteen people attended The Gaylaxians’ monthly meeting. By February, 1987, membership had grown to 38 members. Hummel and Dumas wrote and distributed a monthly newsletter, The Gaylaxian, typically detailing the “minutes” of the prior Gaylaxians meeting, announcing the location of next month’s meeting (someone’s home) and other fan information of interest. Deriving from its mission of being a social organization, The Gaylaxians also created and published a Gaylaxian membership directory, intended to include Gaylaxians’ names, addresses, phone numbers and [science fiction] interests. Later that year, 1986, Hummel, Dumas and Lars Colson attended ConFederation, the 44th World Science Fiction Convention, as representatives of The Gaylaxians, thereby establishing to the broader science fiction community the existence of The Gaylaxians as a [New England based] organization. Having received “strong and deep” interest at the ConFederation convention, Hummel, Dumas and Colson began to entertain the notion of a “nationwide, perhaps worldwide” network of “gay fans and their friends”. This broader organization of gay and bisexual science fiction and fantasy fandom took shape as “The Gaylaxian Network” by publication and distribution in January 1987, by Franklin Hummel as editor, of the first issue of [The] Gaylactic Gayzette. The Gaylactic Gayzette was to be published quarterly as a newsletter. Membership dues for the Gaylactic Network (in 1987) were $6, entitling the member to the quarterly newsletter and an annual “Network Directory” of names, addresses and members’ interests. Members committed to confidential treatment of this information, as well as any other (confidential) information given by another member. Hummel and Dumas designed logos for The Gaylaxians, and derivative from that, The Gaylactic Network. The Gaylaxian (newsletter of The Gaylaxians) and the Gaylactic Gayzette (newsletter of The Gaylactic Network) published information about upcoming science fiction and fantasy conventions. The Gaylaxians (inclusive of both the New England group and, later, The Gaylactic Network) were (evidently) represented at most/all conventions – either informally, and sometimes by having Gaylaxian hospitality events for other convention attendees. �Other Gaylaxian organizations formed in other U.S. cities. The collection has no archival material of or from any such organizations. Starting with the October, 1987 issue of the Gaylactic Gayzette, the publication sought circulation beyond the Gaylactic Network’s membership, and the publication of Gaylactic Network members’ names and addresses was discontinued. Franklin Hummel; edited the Gaylactic Gayzette through at least the October, 1989 edition. This edition of the Gaylactic Gayzette also discusses proposed adoption of formal bylaws and policies for the Gaylactic network. The last issue of the Gaylactic Gayzette in the collection is dated May 1991 (although there is no particular indication that this was the last issue, nor that the Gaylactic Network was struggling at that time). In 1990, the New England based Gaylaxians group adopted a formal structure, by incorporating as a Massachusetts non-profit corporation, Gaylaxian Science Fiction Society, Incorporated, by Hummel, Dumas, Steven R. Owens and Robert D. Peterson. Subsequently, the membership adopted bylaws formalizing its operating structure and management, drafted by Hummel, Dumas, Peterson, Owens and David Shirmer. Joan C. Stanley was the attorney providing the legal work for incorporation. At the time of incorporation, Kevin Hudson was The Gaylaxian’s editor. Hummel, Owens, Hudson, Christine M. Conran and Betty Lane were the original Directors of the corporation. By April, 1999, The Gaylaxian announced that The “Boston Chapter of the Gaylactic Network” was at the verge of collapse (absent persons stepping up to take on the burdens of operation and serve on the corporation’s Executive Board). The last issue of The Gaylaxian in the collection is dated Summer 1999. The corporation’s charter was revoked for non-filing of required papers in 2012. SUBJECT TERMS Capital District Gaylaxians Gaylaxian organization in Albany, NY Gaylactic Network An “international network of gay fans and friends interested in science fiction” formed January, 1987 by Franklin Hummel, John Dumas and Lars Colson Eventually, also, the combination of the above-referenced international fan organization and (in 1989) five individual Gaylaxian organizations (presumably, those in New England, Albany, New York City, Michigan/Canada and Philadelphia, mentioned here) Gaylactic Gayzette The publication of the Gaylactic Network Gaylaxian A GLBTQ person interested in science fiction and fantasy [The] Gaylaxians A New England based “social group for gay people and friends who were interested in science fiction and fantasy formed February, 1986 by Franklin Hummel, John Dumas (also known as The Gaylaxian Science Fiction Society) Also, any [GLBTQ] fan of science fiction and fantasy Also, any member of the Gaylactic Network The Gaylaxian The publication of The Gaylaxians Gaylaxicon(s) Science fiction conventions “for gay fans and friends”, first held in Provincetown, MA in June, 1988. Great Lakes Gaylaxians Gaylaxian organization in southeast Michigan and nearby areas (including Canada) The Newsletter that Dare Not Peak Its Name The publication of the Great Lakes Gaylaxians Philadelphia Area Gaylaxians Gaylaxian organization in Philadelphia, PA Tri-State Gaylaxians Gaylaxian organization in Jersey City, NJ for Metro New York City, New Jersey �(a/k/a Metro New York – New Jersey Gaylaxians) and Connecticut ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION Terms of Use/Copyright: Unrestricted, though some items in the collection may be copyrighted by individuals and/or organizations outside of The History Project. For further information, contact: The History Project, 29 Stanhope Street, Boston, MA 02116 (617) 266-7733; info@historyproject.org, www.historyproject.org SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE – Publications; conventions (meetings) materials including programs, flyers, and registration forms; correspondence; tee shirts; buttons, SERIES AND FOLDER LIST Box 1: Series I: Publications Folder 1: The Gaylaxian July, 1986 – Summer, 1999 Franklin Hummel and John Dumas, editors Notes: Folder 2: Vol. 2, No. 10 (October, 1987) includes a “Gay Fandom Directory” detailing groups and newsletters with an interest in gay science fiction and fantasy (references organizations listed above, and APA Lambda, GAPS, On the Double, and Politically Incorrect. [The] Gaylactic Gazette January, 1987 – May, 1991 Franklin Hummel Director and Publisher; Jed Shumsky Assistant Director and Editor Notes: Vol. 1, No. 1 (January, 1987) – provides a detailed history of the formation of The Gaylaxians (initially, Boston-based social group) and the Gaylactic Network Vol. 3, No. 1 (January, 1989) includes the Abbreviated Uranian Worlds by Franklin Hummel, being “a shortened version of the bibliographic information given in Uranian Worlds: a reader’s guide to alternative sexuality in science fiction and fantasy [published before 1980) by Eric Garber and Lyn Paleo” published in 1983 by G. K. Hall. Vol. 3, No. 2 (April, 1989) includes (on last page) a listing and description of the Gaylactic Network and its component Gaylaxian organizations, and their addresses. Vol. 3, No. 4 (October, 1989) contains an extensive discussion of proposals to adopt a governing framework and organizing documents for the Gaylactic Network, and (as a model for the Gaylactic Network) a copy of the Articles of Association and the By-Laws of [the] Gaylaxian Science Fiction Society, Incorporated. Vol. 5, No. 1 (May, 1991) constituting an effort to instigate a letter-writing campaign to the producers of Star Trek, requesting that they include in Star Trek story lines a gay character, including copies of correspondence to and from Gene Roddenberry and David Gerrold (Star Trek production staff and writer), and discussion of a Star Trek script entitled Blood and Fire written by David Gerrold which was never produced. Series II: Conventions Folder 3: Gaylaxicon [Conventions]: �(A) \\\Gaylaxicon ’90; July 20-22, 1990; Tewksbury, MA a. Program book (12 pages) b. Information flyer (B) Gaylaxicon VII; 1996; Burlington, MA a. Program book (28 pages) (C) Gaylaxicon: 1999; October 8-11, 1999; Arlington, VA a. Program book (includes “History of Gaylaxicon [Conventions] at Page 6 (48 pages) b. Information flyer and registration form c. Thank-you notice to local stores which helped promote the conference d. Feedback form e. Directions for volunteers f. Dealer-room map (identifying dealers) g. (Pocket) Program Guide (schedule) h. Panel announcement for “Gay Fandom & The Future of the Gaylactic Network” i. Gaylaxicon 1999 Video Program Notes Folder 4: Gaylactic Network Convention Listing Form (two versions) Folder 5: Other (non-Gaylaxian) Conventions (A) Announcement for Star Trek’s Platinum Anniversary Convention; Nov. 15-16, 1986; Boston, MA (B) Boskone XXIV (Boston Regional Science Fiction Convention; February 13-15, 1987; Boston, MA;) Convention Announcement and Registration Form (Note: The Gaylaxians was formed by Franklin Hummel and John Dumas at Boskone XXIII, per Gaylactic Gazette, Vol. 1, No. 1) (C) Announcement for Darkover Grand Council Meeting XII; Nov. 24-26, 1989; Timonium, MD Series III: Other Documents Folder 6: The Gaylaxians (A) “The Gaylaxians” flyer and Membership Form (B) Gaylaxians buttons-for-sale flyer (C) Letter to The Gaylaxians dated 6/25/86 requesting information �(D) The Gaylaxians (June, 19??) meeting announcement in publication (possibly published in Gay Community News; the announcement has been attached (glued?) to the letter described in (C), above) (E) Correspondence to The Gaylaxians’ leadership (?) from Christine M. Conran, handling Registration for Gaylaxicon ’88, regarding a homophobic reaction of the mother of a (minor) attendee of Star Trek’s Platinum Anniversary Convention; Nov. 15-16, 1986, in which the mother requested her son’s name be removed from The Gaylaxians’ mailing lists. Folder 7: The Gaylactic Network (A) The Galactic Network flyer (B) Invitation to join The Gaylactic Network (form letter from Franklin Hummel dated Sept., 1986) (C) Invitation to join The Gaylactic Network (form letter from Franklin Hummel dated Sept., 1986), with handwritten post-script from Franklin Hummel to “Mr. Horne”. (D) “The Gaylactic Network” flyer, and Membership Form (E) “Gaylactic Network” flyer, and Membership Form (intended for international membership, as includes space to indicate “country”) (F) Form letter dated June 1, 1987 from Franklin Hummel to the Gaylactic Network membership, making and requesting comments on proposals regarding the conduct of “Gaylactic Network”-branded parties at conventions (open to all, no drugs, no alcohol, no cruising, etc.) Note: Guidelines for Suites and Parties of the Gaylactic Network were published July, 1987; see Box I, Folder 8. (G) Form letter dated Sept. 9, 1987 from Franklin Hummel to the Gaylactic Network membership, detailing that in and following the October 1987 issue of the Gaylactic Gayzette, the Gaylactic Network’s members’ names and addresses would no longer be published within the Gaylactic Gayzette. (H) Flyer (undated) from The Gaylactic network, requesting (i) members’ letters in support of G. K. Hall and Company’s and/or Alyson Publications’s publication of an update to Uranian Worlds: A Reader’s Guide to Alternative Sexuality in Science Fiction and Fantasy (G. K. Hall and Company, 1983), a bibliography of science fiction stories and novels with “gay or bisexual characters and themes”, and (ii) members’ assistance in updating the Uranian Worlds book. (I) A standard form to be used by Gaylactic network members to update the Uranian Worlds book, to be completed and mailed to the Gaylactic Network. Folder 8: Directories and Lists (A) Gaylactic Network Membership List and Gay Fandom Directory Update #1 – April, 1987 (B) Gaylactic Network Membership List and Gay Fandom Directory Update #2 – July, 1987. Note: Includes “Guidelines for Suites and Parties of the Gaylactic Network”. (C) Directory Update: December 1988 (Note: marked pages 21-23 of some other document.) (D) Directory Update: August 1989 (Note: marked pages 27-28 of some other document.) Folder 9: Miscellaneous Documents (A) Advertisement and Alyson Publications order form for “Worlds Apart: an Anthology of Lesbian and Gay Science Fiction and Fantasy” edited by Camilla Decarnin, Eric Garber and Lyn Paleo. (Note: has The Gaylaxians’s logo printed on the obverse.) �Series IV: Ephemera Folder 10: Ephemera (A) Button: “Out of the Closet and into the Universe!” – and Gaylaxian logo (B) Button: “Gaylactic Network” – and Gaylactic Network logo (C) Sticker: “Gaylaxicon: 1999” (D) Convention Badge: “Gaylaxicon 1999; Bob Peterson; Townsend, MA” (E) Tee-shirt: light purple, “Gaylaxicon ‘88” -- transferred to THP Tee-Shirt Collection (F) Tee-shirt: teal, “Gaylaxicon” (1990) -- transferred to THP Tee-Shirt Collection Folder 11: Ephemera (cont.) (G) Banner (very large): “Gaylaxicon” (1990) � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Description An account of the resource Our collection descriptions—also known as <em>finding aids</em>—can be found below. The following collections have not yet been digitized, but can be viewed in-person by appointment. <p>If you are interested in arranging a time to see a collection, please <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdWWwRXzcoodt9rbvOu2lSOrSV1ajmOR_GzElajK8Tz4vic9w/viewform" title="Request appointment" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">request an appointment here</a>. </p> Thank you! Title A name given to the resource Queer History Boston Collection Guides Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Coll. 094: Gaylaxian Collection Description An account of the resource In February, 1986, Franklin Hummel and John Dumas formed a social group centered originally in Massachusetts but later including New Hampshire, for gay people and their friends who were interested in science fiction and fantasy. The group met periodically (the intention was monthly) at members’ homes. The group initially considered naming itself “Gay Science Fiction Fandom”, but settled on calling itself “The Gaylaxians”. It claimed to be “the first [organization] for gay fandom in the world”. By June, 1986, fourteen people attended The Gaylaxians’ monthly meeting. By February, 1987, membership had grown to 38 members. Hummel and Dumas wrote and distributed a monthly newsletter, The Gaylaxian, typically detailing the “minutes” of the prior Gaylaxians meeting, announcing the location of next month’s meeting (someone’s home) and other fan information of interest. Deriving from its mission of being a social organization, The Gaylaxians also created and published a Gaylaxian membership directory, intended to include Gaylaxians’ names, addresses, phone numbers and [science fiction] interests. Later that year, 1986, Hummel, Dumas and Lars Colson attended ConFederation, the 44th World Science Fiction Convention, as representatives of The Gaylaxians, thereby establishing to the broader science fiction community the existence of The Gaylaxians as a [New England based] organization. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1986-1999 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Email: info@historyproject.org for more information Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context THP-FA-094