Civil rights leader and Seattle Gay News publisher George Bakan dies

Civil rights leader and Seattle Gay News (SGN) publisher George Bakan was found dead at his desk on Sunday evening, June 7, 2020. He was 78 years old.

A pioneer in the LGBTQ+, HIV and AIDS communities, Bakan was beloved by many who were influenced by his natural wit and personality. In the latter part of his life, Bakan devoted the majority of his time advocating for marriage equality, affordable LGBTQ+ senior housing and telling the stories of our time. He was the editor-in-chief of the SGN for nearly four decades.

On the subject of affordable housing for LGBTQ+ seniors, George told Seattle Weekly on October 31, 2018, “Many of the senior people we are talking about are people who had full-blown AIDS, but didn’t die. They need some very special attention to make sure that they’re properly…getting all of their medical needs in this era, in the last phase of their lives.”

In the video below for The Legacy Project, Bakan did what he so often did best: he shared a few history lessons about gay culture in Seattle.

On March 7, 2019, Bakan reflected on the early days when AIDS began ravaging Seattle. “We knew we weren’t going to be spared. When you know a disaster is brewing, you do something about it.”

He did something unpopular at the time: he began running page after page to memorialize the dead with free obituaries.

“I felt it was time to open the door and publicly give people with AIDS an identity,” Bakan said at the time.

https://www.facebook.com/sarah.toce/posts/2599725380129303

Bakan was instrumental in mobilizing the Approve Referendum 74 movement in 2012. Whether attending events on the front lines or publishing accounts for the masses, Bakan provided a powerful voice to the Seattle LGBTQ+ community.

The above video is from former nonprofit organization Social Outreach Seattle (SOSea), founded by his friend and colleague Shaun Knittel.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10159699878848906&set=a.10150367976918906&type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10207488899378113&set=a.1320559191536&type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10220028133667350&set=a.2746504895504&type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/penaetis/posts/10222765733474895
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10207488899378113&set=a.1320559191536&type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=3445878555432053&set=a.908759912477276&type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10223401782094370&set=a.1416148125334&type=3&theater

Sarah Toce

Screenwriter & Journalist | Sarah Brusig (Toce) is an appointed member of the King County Women's Advisory Board and an elected precinct committee officer (PCO) in Burien, WA. As a healthcare worker, Sarah is represented by SEIU 1199NW. In 2010, Sarah created the online news source The Seattle Lesbian, LLC, which still receives upward of 100,000 readers per month. A recipient of McCormick's New Media Women Entrepreneur Award in 2012, Sarah was invited to the White House by President Barack Obama in 2015. That same year, GO Mag recognized Sarah as one of their Red-Hot Entrepreneurs in media.​ In 2016, the National Diversity Council honored Sarah with their LGBT Leadership Award. Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) recognized Sarah's advocacy work with the Community Builder Award in 2017, the same year Curve Magazine named Sarah one of their Top Women in Media & Publishing. Sarah served a two-year term as president of the Society of Professional Journalists - Western Washington Chapter beginning in 2018 and was elected Communications Vice Chair of the King County Democrats in 2021.

Related Posts

Seattle Pride Seeks 2025 Parade Theme and Grand Marshal Noms

Seattle Pride, producer of the annual Seattle Pride Parade and Seattle Pride in the Park festival, is asking for the community’s help in identifying ideas for the 2025 theme and nominations for parade grand…

Read more

Continue reading
New Guidance for Mexico City LGBTIQ Refugees

The Organization for Refuge, Asylum & Migration has released a groundbreaking resource guide for LGBTIQ refugees and asylum seekers in Mexico City. It is the only contemporary guide of its…

Read more

Continue reading

One thought on “Civil rights leader and Seattle Gay News publisher George Bakan dies

Comments are closed.

Entertainment News

First Look: Provocative Dramedy ‘Feeling Randy’

First Look: Provocative Dramedy ‘Feeling Randy’

WATCH: STARZ Releases First Look at ‘Outlander’ Season 7 Part 2

WATCH: STARZ Releases First Look at ‘Outlander’ Season 7 Part 2

Vancouver Queer Film Festival 2024 Awardees

Vancouver Queer Film Festival 2024 Awardees

Rocky Horror to Play 5th Ave Theatre with Original Cast Member Barry Bostwick

Rocky Horror to Play 5th Ave Theatre with Original Cast Member Barry Bostwick

Seattle Pride Seeks 2025 Parade Theme and Grand Marshal Noms

Seattle Pride Seeks 2025 Parade Theme and Grand Marshal Noms

Dolly Parton and Dancing Santas: SMC and SWC Holiday Shows Revealed

Dolly Parton and Dancing Santas: SMC and SWC Holiday Shows Revealed