Gaylactic Network  The Gaylactic Network is a North American LGBT science fiction fandom organization. It has several affiliate chapters across the United States and Canada, with a membership of LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) people and friends, sharing an interest in science fiction, fantasy, horror, comics and role-playing games. The Gaylactic Network oversees Gaylaxicon, an irregularly-held science fiction convention in various states. It also originated the Gaylactic Spectrum Awards, given annually for outstanding LGBT content in sci-fi, fantasy, and horror genre publications. The Network is registered as a nonprofit organisation. Organizational records for the period 1986-2005 (bulk 1987-1991) are held by Brown University, and other universities mention it as a course resource   The Gaylactic Network state on their website that their goals includes:   This is done via their affiliate chapters on a local scale, and nationally with the organisation of Gaylaxicon and (in the past) the Gaylactic Spectrum Awards and by online activities such as E-mail lists. The Network sprang from the Boston-based Gaylaxian Science Fiction Society, an organization founded by Franklin Hummel (see ) and assisted by John R Dumas began in 1986; Hummel was the group's first president. In 1987 Hummel then 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. The organization changed from an affiliate-based membership structure to an individual-based membership structure in 2000. The Board consists of a Speaker, Listener, Treasurer, Secretary, and four Board Members. As the original group 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. The Network is also registered as a non-profit organization. Brown university maintains archives of the organizations old records, and other universities mentions it as a course resource   Since 1986, the Network has had up to 12 affiliate clubs. The affiliates are locally oriented, regionally based, autonomous clubs with their own leadership and membership. As of 2008, there are 9 affiliate chapters:   There have been past affiliates in cities such as Philadelphia, but they have since folded or given up their affiliate status. Several organizations, including ones outside of North America, are considered "friends of the Network."