Renee Raketty (she/her): Raketty is the Owner/Publisher of Seattle Gay News (SGN), the third-oldest LGBTQIA publication in the US founded in 1974. As an out-and-proud Latina Transgender woman, she's been active for decades in both journalism and Seattle's LGBTQ+ community spaces ever since working at her high school newspaper in the 1990s. She joined the SGN as a writer in October 2001, rose to Managing Editor in August 2005, and has also written for others publications such as Seattle Gay Standard, Capitol Hill Seattle Blog, and Tacoma Weekly.

She was essential in modernizing SGN's production process from physical cut-and-paste to digital technology in the early 2000s, led a successful lawsuit against the Seattle Police Department (SPD) over sustaining injuries while following the BLM protests of 2020, and is now collaborating with younger voices in the LGBTQ+ community to lead SGN into a multimedia, platform-driven future, for 2026 and beyond.

Madison Jones (she/they): Hello everyone! My name is Madison, and I am a Seattle-based journalist, writer, and proud transgender woman. With 50+ articles published in the United States and abroad, I cover a plethora of topics including: LGBTQ+ issues, travel, entertainment, and politics. I obtained my Master of Arts in Political Science from the University of British Columbia (Vancouver, Canada) in 2021. These days, I keep myself primarily occupied as Managing Editor of the third-oldest LGBTQIA newspaper in the United States: Seattle Gay News (SGN).

My writing portfolio can be found at: madisonapril.carrd.co

Calvin Jay Emerson (he/they): Hey! My name's Calvin Jay Emerson, but my friends call me C.J. I'm the Associate Editor here at Seattle Gay News (SGN), and I'm also the reporter for our monthly sports section. I'm a recent graduate from UW, trying to figure out my next steps, and I'm immensely grateful to Renee and Madison for inviting me to be a small part of this larger-than-life publication.

Richard Isaac (he/him): Issac is a freelance copy editor with a background in linguistics, foreign languages, and queer activism. He was active in Queer Nation and Bigot Busters (1990–95) and has served on the boards of SEAMEC (1997–2007) and Lambert House (2004–12). He earned his certificate in editing from the University of Washington in 2008, served on the board of the Northwest Editors Guild, and has been editing for the SGN since 2015. He has studied ten languages and lived abroad; his other interests include travel, film, and Eurovision, which he has attended twice. His website can be found at: richtextediting.com

Maggie Bloodstone (she/her): Bloodstone has been the SGN's Advertising Manager for over 2 decades. A life-long Washingtonian born in 1957, she majored in drama at Green River Community College from 1975-1978, (her favorite role being Gollum in original musical version of The Hobbit.)

Active in Seattle's LGBTQ community since 1980, she's worked at Lusty Lady before it was The Lusty Lady, was possibly the first local drag king performing in local lip sync contests as David Byrne of The Talking Heads from 1984-1988, a local actress in the 80's-90s, a sister of the Abbey Of St. Joan: Sister Castrata Stigmata BananaFana Fo-Fata aka Brother Otto Erotik of the Sisters Of Perpetual Indulgence, but is best known for playing Bitchy Bitch in live version of Roberta Gregory's comic 'Naughty Bits'.

Turn-ons: Music (industrial, heavy metal, punk, psychedelia, experimental, anything from the 70s), weird movies, non-superhero comics, vintage clothes.

Turn-offs: Fascism.

Emory Liu (he/him): Liu is a Seattle native who has previously worked at local companies Seattle Theatre Group and Fantagraphics Books Inc. His start began as a designer / screen printer of music show posters and album art as a music fan, later focusing on print design and production. He currently works as the SGN's Production Manager.

Lindsey Anderson (she/her): Hello! I am Lindsey Anderson, a Seattle-based writer and comedian. I graduated from Gonzaga University with a BA in English writing and Political Science. When not writing or performing on stage, I can usually be found hanging out with my partner, Izy, and adorable dog, Benji, and my over-sized cat, Oliver.

Sara Michelle Fetters (she/her): Fetters is a Seattle journalist, film critic, local Hall of Fame amateur softball player and coach, and LGBTQ+ community activist. She wrote a ten-part "1,001 Great Films" series in 2021 during the COVID pandemic on a dare for the Seattle Gay News (SGN) that quickly transformed into her personal coming out story as a Trans woman and a journey through over a century of cinema. She is now a Staff Writer for SGN, and is also hopelessly addicted to Diet Coke.

Audrey Oscarson (they/them): Hi! My name is Audrey Oscarson, and I’m a Staff Writer here at the SGN. I’ve been working as a reporter in various capacities for seven years and love being able to use my skills to share stories that make an impact. When I’m not writing, I spend my time traveling, making art, or hanging out with friends.

Nova Berger (she/her): Heyo! My name is Nova Berger and I’m a recent UW graduate, Contributing Writer at Seattle Gay News, and curiosity enthusiast dedicated to breaking the "Seattle freeze."

Guided by Alice in Wonderland's philosophy — "you can do six impossible things before breakfast" — I try to embrace every unique opportunity Seattle offers. From teaching line dancing every Monday night to stargazing at Volunteer Park to swimming in every body of water available, I try to seize adventure everyday.

I see the world as a cabinet of curiosities, and I’m passionate about sharing stories and helping my fellow Seattleites discover their own distinctive "nook" along the way!

Perris Larson (she/her): Greetings! My name is Perris Larson and I’m a Contributing Writer for Seattle Gay News! I studied journalism at Seattle Pacific University and now I’m working as a freelance journalist and part time barista. I love writing profiles on local small businesses and members of the Queer community. But when I’m not writing I am either hiking, reading a fantasy novel, thrifting with my friends, or hanging with my dog at Discovery Park.

Arin Waller (she/her): Sup! My name is Arin Waller. I'm a Contributing Writer for the Seattle Gay News. I'm a self taught writer with a passion for filmmaking. I love writing about political issues, human interest pieces and community involvement. when I'm not typing away at my keyboard I usually like to hang out at the local bars in Capitol Hill, The Wildrose being a favorite of mine.