George Bakan

George Bakan was an American organizer for LGBT movements and the editor-in-chief of Seattle Gay News. He died in 2020 at age 78. He grew up in rural Bellevue, then moved with his family to Pasco, Washington around 1960. He attended Columbia Basin College in fall 1960 where he was president of the Columbia Basin Young Democrats.

Activism Speaking of Bakan's death, former Seattle City Council member Tom Rasmussen said that Bakan may have been Seattle's most influential advocate for LGBT rights. noted Bakan's activities in favor of women’s rights, addressing Homelessness, and Prisoners' rights. He was a regional coordinator for the 1987 Second National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights and the 1993 March on Washington for Lesbian, Gay and Bi Equal Rights and Liberation.

Death Bakan died at his desk surrounded by Seattle Gay News issues.

Bakan had arranged that his daughter Angela Cragin take over role as owner and publisher of Seattle Gay News, which she did. The city dedicated November 13, 2021 as "George Bakan Day".