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 November 10, 2017 and its headline reports election results from that week. Jenny Durkan was elected Seattle's first lesbian and second out LGBTQ+ mayor, after Ed Murray was elected in 2013. Durkan is pictured celebrating with George Bakan, the longtime editor of the Seattle Gay News. Before being elected mayor, Durkan was the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Washington. She did not seek reelection in 2021, and was replaced as mayor by Bruce Harrell at the beginning of 2022. The other front page stories celebrate wins by LGBTQ+ candidates in elections across the country. Danica Roem became the first out trans person to win election to Virginia's state legislature, and Christy Holgate and Lisa Middleton won election to the Palm Springs City Council.