Gaylaxicon


Gaylaxicon is a recurring science fiction, fantasy and horror convention that focused on gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender topics. It has taken in various locations in the United States and occasionally Canada, often on the East Coast.
Started in 1988 in Provincetown, Massachusetts, Gaylaxicon was organized by member organizations of the Gaylactic Network. The Gaylaxian Science Fiction Society was the New England–based chapter of the Network, which organized the original convention.
The Gaylactic Spectrum Awards were sometimes awarded at Gaylaxicon and were instituted by the organisers of the conference. They are now managed by the Gaylactic Spectrum Awards Council, an independent organization.

Origins

Gaylaxicon was organized by member organizations of the Gaylactic Network. The Gaylaxian Science Fiction Society is the New England–based chapter of the Network, which organized the original convention in Provincetown, Massachusetts in 1988.

Spectrum awards

The Gaylactic Spectrum Awards are given to works of science fiction, fantasy and horror that explore LGBT 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.
The results were generally announced and presented at Gaylaxicon, although they have also been presented at Worldcon in the past.

Past conventions

YearLocation: TownLocation: StateGuest of Honor: AuthorGuest of Honor: OtherNoteRefs.
1988ProvincetownMassachusettsJ.F. Rivkin—Gaylaxicon '88,
90 attendees
1990TewksburyMassachusettsMelissa ScottHannah M.G. Shapero Gaylaxicon '90,
130 attendees
1991TewksburyMassachusettsSamuel R. DelanyHannah M.G. Shapero Gaylaxicon '91,
245 attendees
1992PhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaTanya HuffTristan Alexander Gaylaxicon IV,
360 attendees
1994RockvilleMarylandJewelle GomezTom Howell
Forrest J Ackerman 		Gaylaxicon V,
350 attendees
1995Niagara FallsNew YorkDon SakersHeather Bruton Gaylaxicon VI,
180 attendees
1996BurlingtonMassachusettsEllen Kushner
Delia Sherman		Colleen Doran Gaylaxicon VII,
342 attendees
1997MarlboroMassachusetts——Gaylaxicon Lite '97,
90 attendees
1998TroyMichiganAnne HarrisKurt Erichson
Frank Gembeck, Jr. 		Gaylaxicon 8,
60 attendees
1999ArlingtonVirginiaDiane DuaneNancy Janda
Jean-Pierre Dorleac 		Gaylaxicon 1999,
303 attendees,
the 10th Gaylaxicon
2000ArlingtonVirginiaFiona PattonNan Fredman Gaylaxicon 2000,
265 attendees
2004San DiegoCaliforniaDavid GerroldJoe Phillips
Virginia Hey 		285 attendees
2005BostonMassachusettsLois McMaster BujoldPhil Jimenez
250 attendees
2006TorontoOntario Nalo HopkinsonEllen Muth
Richard Arnold
Michael Rowe 		Gaylaxicon 2006
2007AtlantaGeorgiaJim GrimsleyGeorges Jeanty Other guests: David Gerrold,
Joe Haldeman, Steve Berman,
Toni Weisskopf, James Cawley,
David B. Coe
2008BethesdaMarylandGeoff RymanAlicia Austin
2009MinneapolisMinnesotaMargaret WeisAndy Mangels
Lawrence Schimel
Terrance Griep		Gaylaxicon 2009,
313 attendees
2010MontrealQuebec Canceled
2011AtlantaGeorgian/a Amber Benson
Don Schermerhorn and Wayne Hergenroder 		May 13 to 15. Hosted as part of Outlantacon.
2012MinneapolisMinnesotaKyell GoldGary Russell
Lyda Morehouse
Barbara Schulz 		Gaylaxicon 2012,
unknown attendees
2014AtlantaGeorgiaPhilip BonneauMay 2–4
2016MinneapolisMinnesota
unknown
2018AtlantaGeorgiaMay 11-13
Outlantacon/Gaylaxicon 2018
attendance unknown