Gaylaxicon

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Logo of the 2009 Gaylaxicon in Minnesota

Gaylaxicon is an annual science fiction, fantasy and horror convention that focuses on gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender topics. It takes place in various locations in the United States and occasionally Canada, often on the east coast.

Started in 1988 in Provincetown, Massachusetts, Gaylaxicon is organized by member organizations of the Gaylactic Network.[1] The Gaylaxian Science Fiction Society (GSFS) is the New England–based chapter of the Network, which organized the original convention and continues to be a driving force behind many of the Gaylaxicons.[2]

The Gaylactic Spectrum Awards are often awarded at Gaylaxicon and were instituted by the organisers of conference. They are now managed by the Gaylactic Spectrum Awards Council, an independent organization.

Origins

Gaylaxicon is organized by member organizations of the Gaylactic Network.[1] The Gaylaxian Science Fiction Society (GSFS) is the New England–based chapter of the Network, which organized the original convention in Provincetown, Massachusetts in 1988, and continues to be a driving force behind many of the Gaylaxicons.[2]

The convention has been described as having "all the standard con fare", such as panels, dances, films, receptions, celebrities and a costume contest (called a masquerade). There are also unique events that have become traditional at Gaylaxicons, including a Chocolate Symposium and a SF Jeopardy! game called "Gaylactic Jeopardy." Several firsts include the Spectrum Awards given in 1999, a live cast performance of The Rocky Horror Picture Show in 2004, live dance music in 2008, and a 20th anniversary banquet in 2008. Gaylaxicon 2009 is advertised as having an Art Show, Autographs, Cabaret, Charity Auction, Costuming, Dealers Room, Discussion Panels, Gaming, Guests, Local Events, Parties, Readings, and a Video Program.

Spectrum awards

The Gaylactic Spectrum Awards are given to works of science fiction, fantasy and horror that explore LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) topics in a positive way. Established in 1998, the awards were initially presented by the Gaylactic Network, with awards first awarded in 1999 at Gaylaxicon. In 2002 the awards were given their own organization, the Gaylactic Spectrum Awards Foundation.[3]

The results are generally announced and presented at Gaylaxicon, and are an important part of the convention, although they have also been presented at Worldcon in tha past.[4][5] The most recent awards were presented in October 2008 at the Gaylaxicon in Washington, D.C. at a special banquet; Ginn Hale and Joshua Lewis won the awards for best novel and best short fiction respectively.[6][7][8]

The major award categories are for best Novel, Short fiction, and Other works. The winners and short list of recommended nominees decided by a jury. Among the most recognized authors, Nicola Griffith has received the most awards overall with three wins. Griffith also jointly holds the record for most nominations with Melissa Scott, both having received five nominations. Works of any format produced before the awards were first given are eligible to be inducted into the "Hall of Fame". The list of award winners and Hall of Fame inductees has been described as a "who's who of science fiction" by GLBTQ.com.[9]

Upcoming conventions

Year Location: Town Location: State Guest(s) of Honor: Dates Note Refs.
2013 Atlanta Georgia TBA May 3–5 http://www.outlantacon.org

Past conventions

Year Location: Town Location: State Guest(s) of Honor: Author Guest(s) of Honor: Other Note Refs.
1988 Provincetown Massachusetts J.F. Rivkin Gaylaxicon '88,
90 attendees
[10]
1990 Tewksbury Massachusetts Melissa Scott Hannah M.G. Shapero (artist) Gaylaxicon '90,
130 attendees
[10]
1991 Tewksbury Massachusetts Samuel R. Delany Hannah M.G. Shapero (artist) Gaylaxicon '91,
245 attendees
[10]
1992 Philadelphia Pennsylvania Tanya Huff Tristan Alexander (artist) Gaylaxicon IV,
360 attendees
[10]
1994 Rockville Maryland Jewelle Gomez Tom Howell (artist)
Forrest J Ackerman (special guest)
Gaylaxicon V,
350 attendees
[10]
1995 Niagara Falls New York Don Sakers Heather Bruton (artist) Gaylaxicon VI,
180 attendees
[10][11]
1996 Burlington Massachusetts Ellen Kushner
Delia Sherman
Colleen Doran (artist) Gaylaxicon VII,
342 attendees
[10]
1997 Marlboro Massachusetts Gaylaxicon Lite '97,
90 attendees
[10]
1998 Troy Michigan Anne Harris Kurt Erichson (cartoonist)
Frank Gembeck, Jr. (artist)
Gaylaxicon 8,
60 attendees
[10]
1999 Arlington Virginia Diane Duane Nancy Janda (artist)
Jean-Pierre Dorleac (special guest)
Gaylaxicon 1999,
303 attendees,
the 10th Gaylaxicon
[10][12]
2000 Arlington Virginia Fiona Patton Nan Fredman (artist) Gaylaxicon 2000,
265 attendees
[10][13]
2004 San Diego California David Gerrold Joe Phillips (artist)
Virginia Hey (actor, Farscape)
285 attendees [14]
2005 Boston Massachusetts Lois McMaster Bujold Phil Jimenez (artist: Hidden Frontier)
250 attendees [15]
2006 Toronto Ontario (Canada) Nalo Hopkinson Ellen Muth (actor)
Richard Arnold (media)
Michael Rowe (editor)
Gaylaxicon 2006 [16][17][18]
2007 Atlanta Georgia Jim Grimsley Georges Jeanty (artist) Other guests: David Gerrold,
Joe Haldeman, Steve Berman,
Toni Weisskopf, James Cawley,
David B. Coe
[18][19]
2008 Bethesda Maryland Geoff Ryman Alicia Austin (artist) [18][20]
2009 Minneapolis Minnesota Margaret Weis Andy Mangels
Lawrence Schimel
Terrance Griep
Gaylaxicon 2009,
313 attendees
[21][22]
2010 Montreal Quebec (Canada) Canceled [23] [24]
2011 Atlanta Georgia n/a (Wayback of Outlacon website lists guests, but only three GoHs) Amber Benson (GoH)[25]
Don Schermerhorn and Wayne Hergenroder (fan GoHs)[26]
May 13 to 15. Hosted as part of Outlantacon. [27]
2012 Minneapolis Minnesota Kyell Gold Gary Russell (Writer/Producer)
Lyda Morehouse (Writer)
Barbara Schulz (Artist)
Gaylaxicon 2012,
unknown attendees
[28]

See also

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Gaylactic Network Yahoo groups page
  2. 2.0 2.1 Gaylaxian Science Fiction Society officila web site
  3. "About the Gaylactic Spectrum Award". Gaylactic Spectrum Award Foundation. 2000–2008. Retrieved 2008-11-14. 
  4. "Books and Publishing June 1999". Locus Publications. 2003. Retrieved 2008-11-19. 
  5. "News Log July 2003". Locus Publications. 2003. Retrieved 2008-11-19. 
  6. "2008 Gaylactic Spectrum Awards". Gaylactic Spectrum Award Foundation. 2008. Retrieved 2008-11-13. 
  7. "Gaylactic Spectrum Awards Tenth Anniversary Banquet". Gaylaxicon 2008. Retrieved 2009-02-11. 
  8. "2008 Gaylactic Spectrum Awards Finally Announced - SFScope - Science Fiction, Fantasy, Horror". SFScope. Retrieved 2009-02-11. 
  9. ">> literature >> Awards". glbtq. 2008-08-21. Retrieved 2009-02-11. 
  10. 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 10.5 10.6 10.7 10.8 10.9 10.10 "Gaylaxicon Photo Album - Master Index". Fanac.org. 2009-01-04. Retrieved 2009-02-13. 
  11. Gaylaxicon 1995 Badges
  12. Gaylaxicon 1999
  13. Gaylaxicon 2000 on the 1999 web site
  14. Gaylaxicon 2004
  15. Gaylaxicon 2005
  16. Gaylaxicon 2006
  17. Gaylaxicon 2006 Sampler web page
  18. 18.0 18.1 18.2 Gaylaxicons Yahoo Groups page
  19. Gaylaxicon 2007
  20. Gaylaxicon 2008
  21. Gaylaxicon 2009
  22. Gaylaxicon 2009 Yahoo Groups page
  23. 2010 Gayaxicon redirected website Accessed April 12, 2010.
  24. Gaylaxicon 2010
  25. Wayback Machine 2011 May 11 archive of Outlacon main webpage
  26. Wayback Machine 2011 July 25 archive of Gaylaxicon 2011 Guests webpage
  27. Gaylactic Network Gaylaxicon Page
  28. Gaylaxicon 2012

External links

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