The Network sprang from the Boston-based Gaylaxian Science Fiction Society, an organization founded by Franklin Hummel (see
Necronomicon: Providence) 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. As of 2008, there are 9 affiliate chapters: • Gaylactic Outpost Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia • Gaylactic Toronto Alliance, Toronto, ONT • Golden Gate Gaylaxians, San Francisco, California • Lambda Sci-Fi: DC Area Gaylaxians, Washington, D.C. • Niagara Falls Gaylactic Colonizers, Niagara Falls, New York • North Country Gaylaxians, Minneapolis, Minnesota • Planet LAmbda, Los Angeles, California • San Diego Queer Sci-Fi: The San Diego Gaylaxians, San Diego, California 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." ==Gaylaxicon==