The Gaylactic Spectrum Awards honor
outstanding works of science fiction, fantasy and horror which include
significant positive explorations of gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered
characters, themes, or issues.
The Gaylactic Network, the premiere organization for gay and lesbian fandom,
created the Awards in 1998 because there was no existing avenue for the
recognition of outstanding gay-positive work within the genre. In 2002, the
Awards struck out on their own, under the auspices of the newly created
Gaylactic Spectrum Awards Foundation. The Gaylactic Network remains a primary
partner for the Awards. The Gaylactic Spectrum Awards Foundation is working on
its own incorporation and is seeking to obtain charitable organization status to
enhance its ability to inform and educate.
Oftentimes, books and other works can be overlooked - and publishers, authors
and artists need to know that their inclusion of gay issues, characters and
themes is appreciated. Before the Gaylactic Spectrum Awards, no award had been
developed that honored works for both genre content AND gay content. Because
speculative fiction offers an opportunity to explore complex and sometimes
unpopular issues through the distance of other worlds, times and cultures, we
hope the award will encourage professionals working in science fiction, fantasy
and horror to use the genre to explore characters and issues of importance to
the gay community.
The Gaylactic Spectrum Awards are presented annually and honor works premiering
in the previous calendar year. In their first year (1999), the Gaylactic
Spectrum Awards were presented in three categories: Best Novel, for the best
novel; Best Other Work, for the best work in any format other than novel (including
movies, TV, short stories, art, gaming materials, etcetera); and Hall of Fame,
for a work premiering prior to 1998. Currently, the Awards are given in three
categories: Best Novel; Best Short Fiction; and Best Other Work. In addition, a
limited number of works released prior to 1998 are inducted into the Hall of
Fame each year.
Nominations for the Gaylactic Spectrum Awards are open to everyone. A small
panel of volunteer judges reviews the nominated/recommended works in each
category to determine winners and a short list of recommended works. Nominees,
Short List Recommendations and Winners in each category for the Awards are
announced each year, and information on the Gaylactic Spectrum Awards can be
found on the page for each award year here on our site.
The running of the Gaylactic Spectrum Awards, including all administration costs,
award costs, and cash stipends presented to winners are completely supported by
donations from individuals and organizations and through grassroots fundraising.
Please help us to recognize and promote outstanding works and the future of gay
content in the genre by participating in this endeavour with us. Submit
nominations and consider donating to the cause.