The Seattle Gay News (SGN) was founded in 1976 to provide news coverage focusing on Seattle’s gay community; it is the third oldest LGBTQ+ newspaper in the US. Seattle Gay News started as a newsletter produced by the Gay Community Center. It provided news to a community that was largely ignored by mainstream newspapers and advocated for gay rights in numerous campaigns. Especially during the HIV/AIDS pandemic in the 1980s, it was an important source of information and helped members of the community to support each other. Since its founding, the SGN has widened its focus to Seattle’s LGBTQ+ community more broadly.

This issue was published on December 7, 2012 and its headline is SGN’s endorsement of Ed Murray in the 2013 Seattle mayoral election, which Murray would go on to win. Murray is pictured with his partner at a press conference announcing his interest in becoming mayor. Murray resigned as mayor before the end of his term after five people accused him of child sexual abuse. Other front page stories celebrate the first same-sex marriage license issued by King County and report on negotiations at Boeing to extend spousal benefits to same-sex employees.