THE ORIGINS & MISSION OF GAAAYS IN SPAAACE
GAAAYS IN SPAAACE (GIS) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing diversity and inclusion in the worlds of both science fiction storytelling and the actual space industry. We are boldly going where no one has gone before, beyond inclusion.
We work in conjunction with partners such as studios, actors, scientists, tech entrepreneurs and philanthropists to build a better and more hopeful future where universal equality has become a founding principle of our society.
When working with allies and the general public, we strive to replace ignorance with knowledge and an empathetic understanding of the LGBTQIA+ experience. We strive to advance the hopeful vision of our future presented in popular franchises like STAR TREK & THE ORVILLE where universal equality has FINALLY become a reality. Sci-Fi is so powerful because it shows us possibilities that we often do not encounter in our daily lives. Representation is an essential first step needed to inspire someone’s life path. As the saying goes, “If you can’t see it… you can’t be it!”
From the beginning we understood just how vital community can be and Since our founding in 2016, we've hosted 200+ events which have spanned a dozen major US cities, featured over 60 celebrity guests, and have been attended by well over 20,000 fans.
Our brand of impact is fun and energetic. Everyone who has attended our events has left with a renewed sense of optimism for the future as well as a reinvigorated sense of purpose in continuing the ongoing struggle against bigotry, intolerance and hatred that remains all too present throughout the world.
GIS has been endorsed and supported by THE ORVILLE’s SETH MACFARLANE & STAR TREK creator GENE RODDENBERRY’s son, ROD RODDENBERRY, who told GIS Founder & Executive Director DAN DEEVY that GIS was exactly the kind of organization that his father would have supported and that he’d be proud of the impact that it’s having.
It is important to note that our events are attended by people from every background imaginable; many are members of the LGBTQIA+ community, but there are also just as many who are not. In the spirit of an inclusive future, everyone is welcome at our events!
We’re proud to say that GAAAYS IN SPAAACE events continue to be celebrations of unity and bridge-building for LGBTQIA+ Sci-Fi fans and all our straight allies.
In PHASE 1of GIS we focused on building a safe, inclusive and extensive community around hopeful sci-fi experiential events and parties. Now we are launching Phase 2 and have been working with organizations and insiders across the Aerospace industry to impact that arena and to ensure it impacts our community in meaningful and measurable ways.
This combination of bringing together Hollywood and Aerospace to solve for diversity and inclusion is core to the GIS brand.
Humanity stands at the threshold of the next great frontier, both in the LGBTQIA+ activist community of intersectionality and in the space industry where humanity is about to take our first real steps toward long-term and permanent migration into space. It’s not enough to simply get there but we have to be the better version of ourselves as we step forward. Let’s take these steps together as we boldly go…BEYOND INCLUSION.
To support our work, please consider making a fully tax deductible donation here: gaaaysinspaaace.org/donate-1
Gaaays In Spaaace is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, all donations are fully tax deductible. EIN #83-1923528