Alara.net/Crossroads X/XXY: The Genderswap Universe

The XXY Genderswap Universe is the website and archive for a collaborative fanfiction project which explored in which every mutant character in the Marvel Universe was portrayed as the "opposite" gender to the one they presented in canon. Alara Rogers acted as the editor-in-chief of the project.
==History==
The XXY Genderswap Universe began as a suggestion by Lazy Line Painter Al on RACMX in April 1998Genetic ramifications of Magneto changing gender, racmx google group, Apr 29/98. Brian Fried posted a rough outline of how they believed things would be different if the genders of the X-Men and associated characters had been switched at the outset, rather than as a later incidentGenetic ramifications of Magneto changing gender, racmx, googlegroup, May 3/98.. From here, Indigo cross-posted the idea to ACFF, suggesting that it could be a project for the X-WritersGenetic ramifications of Magneto changing gender, acff googlegroup, May 3/98 and from there Alara, who had been actively (and enthusiastically) participating in the RACMX thread proposed the idea of a collaborative fanfiction project based on the concept. Interest was piquedMETA: The Gender Swap Universe, acff googlegroup, May 4/98 and it was Andrew W, then-editor of X-Writers, who coined the name XXYGenetic ramifications of Magneto changing gender, acff googlegroup, May 5/98.
The first incarnation of the website was set up on Alara's page between May 5 and June 2, 1998 (per the announcement of the site being relocated posted to ACFF).META: Alara's fanfic sites have moved, acff googlegroup, Jun 5/98 Another email to the list, posted in December 1998, requested art for the projectMETA: Fanfic writer looking for artist, acff googlegroup, Dec 28/98; it appears most of the planning and outlining was going on via the mailing listxxy@egroups.com set up for the project, with a benchmark document, proposed timeline, character and original character dossiers, dibs list, galley and warmup ficlets being linked to from the main archiveXXY: THe Marvel Mutant Gengerswap Project, via Wayback Oct 10/99 (unfortunately, none of these links were archived by the Wayback Machine).
A year after the initial discussion, the concept was formally opened to the publicThe XXY Universe, acff googlegroup, May 5/99 and the first story (by Alara) posted to ACFFXXY: First Genesis 1/3, acff googlegroup, May 5/99. Alara posted two other stories and the site hosted an art gallery of XXY fanart; however beyond the initial discussions and dibsing, interest faded and the last update to the website was in August, 2000XXY: The Marvel Mutant Genderswap Project - Main Page, via Wayback Oct 20/22, without the addition of any other actual stories other than the three by Alara.
== Contents ==
The website was set up (in Alara's personal "ugly" style) as an FAQ, answering the following questions:
* What are the rules for the XXY Universe?
* What's the theme of XXY?
* How can I join in on creating XXY or reading the stories before they hit the net?
** The XXY Mailing List
* Where can I read the published stories?
** The officially published XXY stories are all here, at XXY: Tales of Another World.
*** First Genesis - (1976): The first "official" tale of the XXY Universe. John Grey comes to Doctor Carolyn Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters and joins X-Factor, just in time for the team to fight Polaris, Mistress of Magnetism. By Alara Rogers.
*** At Home With The Mutant Menace - (1976): As seen through the eyes of young (10-year-old) Rogue, we see a day in the life of the Mutant Menace, after Polaris' first battle with X-Factor but before the Menace themselves came up against X-Factor. The lineup of the Menace at this time includes Polaris, Mystique, Destiny, Jasmine Wyngarde (Dreamweaver), Wanda Magnus (Quicksilver), Pietro Magnus (Wizard), and Bertha Toynbee (Leaper), with Rogue, a child who hasn't gotten his powers yet, as a civilian attached to the team. Mostly kind of humorous. By Alara Rogers.
*** Bittersweet (1967): In the days of their friendship in Israel, Carolyn Xavier and Erika Lehnsherr take their relationship in a different direction. Contains explicit f/f sex. By Alara Rogers.
** XXY artwork is here at the XXY Gallery, which includes all the artwork created as of August 15/00. 
*** Artists include: Jeffrey Harlan, Allen Rowe, Carolyn Vaughan and Karolina P.
* Where can I get the "unpublished" stuff the writers use to create the universe?
** Benchmark: The Beginning of the Modern Age: This benchmarks the original members of X-Factor, the Mutant Menace, and the two old ladies whose lives are well mapped out, Carolyn Xavier and Polaris.
** Timeline
** Character Dossier: The Adapted: MU characters who are altered to fit the XXY Universe-- either by genderswapping, or by having the circumstances of their lives change by everyone else's swaps-- appear in this dossier.
** Character Dossier: Original Characters: This one is for the characters that don't come from the MU.
** The Dibs List: This lists who created what characters.
** Warmups, Follies and Stories In Progress: This page includes brief storylets that the authors did to get a handle on their own characters and demonstrate the character to the other members of the group.
* Are there any XXY links besides this one?
** Neat Stuff I Made: A subdivision of Jeffrey Harlan's Home Page, Jeff's XXY pictures are all available at this site, including assorted logos.
** Carolyn Vaughan's Picture Page: Includes pics of some of Carolyn's XXY characters at her page The Celestial Realm.
** Fictional Art: Karolina P's art for fan fiction includes several XXY pics. Click on the "Illustration" link.
* How do I create a character?
== References ==
Category:1998 Archives
Category:1999 Archives
Category:2000 Archives
Category:X-Men Archives
Category:Collaboration
Category:Shared Universes