I was born with a defective gene 11257. You got to love science. They reduce things that used to be ‘The will of God’ to simple scientific terms. Now my life revolves around a genetic condition that I had no control over.

You see, someone having a defective gene 11257 or 11258, once used to class themselves as being queer. Now the governments of the world say that calling someone homosexual, bisexual, or intersexed is politically incorrect, so now our genes class us.

Sure, I have more genetic faults that you can poke a stick at. Hell, everyone around us has a very long list. But nowadays, we are classed by our 10 most defective genes, and more importantly the ‘most’ defective is put on our birth certificate.

Even genetic engineering can’t stop anyone having a defect.  Legislation is in place to stop the genetic tinkering of cells. The legislation doesn’t stop people from finding out early in their pregnancy and having an abortion if their fetus was not genetically compatible with what they wanted.

So how did I become the 1 in 100 defective gene 11257’s? Well, I have to thank my parents for that, but I cannot thank them for anything else. They adopted me out as soon as I was born because I did not fit into their religion and beliefs. Sure, they knew even in the first trimester that I was not ‘non-defective 11257’, but their religion did not allow my parents to have an abortion. So adoption was their only option.

From history, I read that "1 in 10" people used be classed as "queer", but now the term is "1 in 100 are defective 1125x". However, because those who are born with these ‘major’ genetic defects have had to go through the stigma and the vilification of not being quite right, they don’t care what their own child has genetically wrong.  In turn, they provide a loving family, although due to their condition they are usually a part of the lower class and do cheap menial jobs to survive.

Two gay males adopted me when I was aged three. They meant a lot to me, and I am happy that they were able to show me the love that my biological parents were afraid to do. They taught me to survive in the world that used science and religion to justify discrimination. My ‘parents’ passed away a few years ago.  Their passing saddened me, but now I fight to keep their legacy going.

My life being a "defective gene 11257" is not easy. Though legislation is there to ‘protect’ the ‘defective gene underclass’, it still does not stop potential employers looking at my birth certificate. As soon as these employers find the 11257 on my birth certificate, they become either very friendly (sometimes sleazy), or they say, ‘We will be in touch when we have a position for you’. I am not sure what I hate the most: the ‘sleazy 1125x sitting across from me' or to know that I have been discriminated against because of a number.

One can only hope for a better future for those who consider (or are forced to consider) themselves not quite right. Until they remove the one thing that defines who I am, I am marked for life. I am a free man, as much as a defective 11257 can be, but yet each night when I go to bed with my loving wife, I hope one day she doesn’t ask what is ‘wrong’ with me. I could not face losing the person I love the most because of a number.

It is a shame that science, politicians, and religion get things wrong. They should not force upon the masses a system of identification (especially without the whole facts). However, the tests still say I am what I am, and I am not able to change my birth certificate.

To those who read this, I hope that one day you can reclaim the ability to call yourself what ever you want to be. Don’t let others decide for you what you have to be. Just being 1125x defective will not make you homosexual, bisexual, transexual, intersexed or whatever is classed as ‘queer’, just as much as living with ‘defective’ parents will not make you queer. You are who you are, and remember that we are all different. I will fight for what is right because discrimination sucks.

To all the members of Spaced Out,

Well, the time has come to say good bye (well for 2 years at least). In passing, I would like to say a few words about the club, and my thoughts on the future of the club.

By the time you read this, I will have either left or will be in the process of leaving Australia to work in Atlanta, USA for two years. It may seem a long time, but I can still remember going to the first meeting of Spaced Out where it is was only a seed of thought, and that was just on two years ago. Time will fly by and soon you will see me again.

Spaced Out means a lot to me. I moved down from Townsville in late January 1999, a month short of turning 24. The first 3-4 months down here were a lonely period for me, and very much a growing-up experience. After breaking up with a guy, who was the only person I really knew in Melbourne, I picked up the two gay newspapers at the time (thanks to my flat mates for introducing me to those). In one of the papers, I read about a GBLT Sci Fi group that was planning to start.  Today, that club is Spaced Out. So in a sense it was my first real involvement with the gay community in Melbourne.

In my time with Spaced Out, I have had a really good time. I met two really nice guys, Alan and Stephen, who are now very close friends of mine, whom I will no doubt miss while I am overseas. I also met other people on the way, especially those who have been on the committee, who have been there when I needed someone to talk to. I also wish to say a special thanks to Trudy, Geoff, and Miriam.

Some of my most memorable moments have been the "Galaxy Quest" movie night, seeing "Barbarella" in the park, going on Bent TV, talking on Joy FM, the MiniCon, seeing the 25^th Anniversary of "The Rocky Horror Picture Show", having Spaced Out friends at my 25^th Birthday Party, Bowling, plus many more. Things can only get better for the club.

As a founding member I would love the club to continue into the future. Spaced Out is a unique club, as it provides support for queer people, as well as another outlet for Sci Fi fans. Whether you know it or not, we have a lot of support in the Sci Fi world and we only need to ask for help and it will be there. We also have support in the gay community, and once again it will only require us to ask and I am sure someone will help.

If anyone has ever organised an event, be it big or small, they know how hard and stressful it is to get it right. The biggest disappointment comes when you only see the same faces all the time. It is from new faces that we get new ideas, and possibly someone to take on a committee position to let someone else have a break. The committee tries to provide a variety of activities, and maybe some of them are not what you would like, but remember someone has organised the event. So I ask you either attend or at least contact the Social Secretary to say you will not be attending.

Also, if there is nothing in the calendar that interests you, organise an event yourself. These events can be anything from a discussion, movie night, a picnic, or a trip to the moon for some cheese. Basically  you can organise whatever takes your fancy -- just contact the committee. Remember this is your club, the committee is made up of volunteers who have jobs and social lives, and they do what they do, as they want you to have fun.

Another issue I would like to point out is that Spaced Out has failed to tap into mainstream Science Fiction. These days, there is very little discussion about current TV shows or books. Everyone knows I love Babylon 5, I may be able to get away with writing a review, but if I wanted to do a critical analysis of it against Star Trek then I hit a brick wall. Sure, I have written two short stories, but I prefer to promote discussion about current and past Sci Fi too. It’s hard to talk about an issue without giving examples, and how am I supposed to win over the Trekkies without being able to show videos to club members? This is something the committee needs to look at, and I suggest getting information from other Sci Fi clubs about what they do. Once there are meetings, discussions, and articles like this, then I am sure membership will pick up.

So what can we do? Maybe we could have a weekly/fortnightly meet-and-greet at a restaurant, cafe or someone’s place (but in the same place each time). From there, a discussion about something may arise. It would take little or no organisation, and at the same time promote discussion about Sci Fi, and hopefully queer issues in Sci Fi.

Oh, and just one last thing, I have found a group in Atlanta called ‘Out Worlders’ and they are a GBLT Sci Fi club. I will be joining them, and hopefully be able to provide Spaced Out on tips and ideas on how they operate.

Anyway I just want to thank everyone for the great time I have had, and well I hope that with a little redirection from all around that the club will continue to forge again and set new boundaries, to boldly go over the rainbow. I would love to come back to Australia in two years and see the foundation work that people have done has made Spaced Out a viable group.

For those of you who think I will be dropping off the edge of the world, don’t worry as I will keep in contact and submit stories, articles, and maybe submit some more webpage links to "Diverse Universe" and hopefully "Solar Spectrum".

Just remember, I have always been here (Kosh – Babylon 5).

Regards

Will Gauvin