GAAAYS IN SPAAACE (GIS) was created in 2016 to celebrate the historic step forward taken in STAR TREK: BEYOND, which finally depicted members of the LGBTQ+ Community in the STAR TREK Universe. It has since become a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring the continued presence & exploration of these characters in the years to come. Our goal is to empower LGBTQ youth by exposing them to Gene Roddenberry’s optimistic future, as well as relieve ignorance & promote understanding by fostering a better understanding of LGBTQ individuals within the largely heterosexual TREK community. To date, GIS has produced 31 individual events which spanned over a dozen major US cities, featured upwards of 30 celebrity guests, has been sponsored by Gene's son Rod, and has been attended by well over 2,000 fans! GIS PANEL DESCRIPTION: Gaaays In Spaaace: Live Long & Be Fabulous! For over 50 years Star Trek fans have wondered if the LGBTQ community was a part of the all-inclusive, utopian vision of the future that Gene Roddenberry created for mankind. In 2016, Star Trek Beyond finally settled the debate when they gave us our first glimpse of a gay man who was alive and well in the future; followed by an actual gay couple on Star Trek: Discovery. ‘Gaaays In Spaaace’ was created to celebrate this historic step forward and has been joined by numerous members of the Star Trek family at events across the country! Join GIS founder, Dan Deevy and several surprise celebrity guests to hear about our journey so far, share your opinions & experiences, discuss why it’s taken so long to get here & why it’s more important than ever for LGBTQ+ character inclusion in sci-fi to continue! Plus, everyone will receive a free GIS tote bag.
