Seattle gay newspaper
More recent LGBTQIA+ history is rooted in 1969’s Stonewall uprising which sparked a movement, but what’s famous about Seattle’s queer history dates back to the late 1800s when downtown Seattle’s Pioneer Square neighborhood – known also as “TheTenderloin,” “Skid Row,” and “Fairyville” – was more welcoming to the burgeoning gay community than the surrounding area, and it saw establishments catering to them flourish.
Here is a historical timeline of some important LGBTQIA+ milestones in Seattle, as the protest for equal rights continues.
NOTE: In several instances, the historical timeline includes verbiage from source material reflecting the era and which may imply bias, rather than the more appropriate verbiage which used to today.
Jackie Starr, Hotcha Hinton, an unidentified man, and Tonya Del Raye sitting at a table at the Garden of Allah circa 1950s.
Photo courtesy of University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections, SOC7421.
Early 1900s:
“Fairyville” Flourishes in Pioneer Square
Gay bars flourish in Pioneer Square despite becoming victims to a police payoff system in which establishments owned by male lover people and people of color are forced to pay mon
Opening on Monday, June 24, a recent exhibit at the Central Library celebrates the 50-year history of the SGN (Seattle Gay News), one of the longest-running LGBTQ+ newspapers in the nature. It is on view in the Central Library’s Level 8 Gallery through Sunday, August 25, and is free and open to the public.
“Seattle Same-sex attracted News Celebrates 50 Years!” was created by the University of Washington Libraries and originally displayed at Allen Library in March 2024. Through headlines, page displays and cutouts, it documents the history of a newspaper that started in March 1974, reporting on arts, culture, health, politics and civil rights related to the LGBTQ+ community – covering stories that were often overlooked by other media. Highlights include coverage of the AIDS crisis, including memorials and obituaries; the fight for marriage equality and other civil rights; and the digital preservation of SGN archives.
The opening of the exhibit will be celebrated with a reception at the Central Library’s Level 8 Gallery on Thursday, June 27, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. A short program will start at 5:30 p.m. with speakers including Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell, and represe
At 50, Seattle Homosexual News starts a new chapter
Seattle is a city that flaunts its gender non-conforming bonafides, but it’s easy to accept hard-fought cultural convert for granted. Anti-gay initiatives emerged in Seattle in the 1970s around the same time the city’s first Self-acceptance celebrations began. In the 1980s, the AIDS crisis spurred far-reaching fear. In 2015, gay marriage became legal across the United States. Through all these milestones, Seattle Lgbtq+ News has been instrumental in organizing the queer society and making its stories visible.
“There’s not many organizations in this community that can say they’ve made it to 50 years," Renee Raketty told Seattle Now. "We’ve confused a lot of legacy organizations, and to be truthful with you, the SGN is an institution in our community here in Seattle. And I’m so proud to carry that forward for the next 50 years.”
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After writing and editing for the newspaper for many years, Raketty now takes over as publisher. In the wake of the death of George Bakan, editor and publisher since 1983, his daughter Angela Cragin stepped into the role. Bakan suddenly died at his desk in 2020
The Centers Community Lunches - Unity Once Again: 50 Years of Seattle Gay News
Celebrate 50 years of Seattle Male lover News by learning about its history. Then visit the exhibit in the Viking Union Gallery throughout January to learn more!
The Centers Community Lunches
Join the Office of Multicultural Student Services, Queer Western, and the Disability Access Center every Wednesday at noon in the Multicultural Center on the 7th floor of the Viking Union. MCC lunches are focused on student development and community-building. All are welcome for food, conversation, and learning in community!
AA/EO. Accessibility Statement: This event is intended for all participants, including those with visible or non-apparent disabilities. For disability accommodation(s) (such as ASL interpretation, etc.) please contact the Centers, thecenters@wwu.edu. Advance notice is appreciated and sometimes necessary to arrange for some accessibility needs.