George Bakan "Hands Off Washington" Campaign Records, 1984-2023

Hands Off Washington (HOW) was a project of the Washington Citizens for Fairness (WCF) which lasted from 1993 to 1997. WCF, a state-wide organization, was a coalition of concerned citizens and organizations with the specific aim of preserving the civil rights of all Washington citizens. HOW was created to specifically oppose initiatives 608 and 610, which sought to limit the rights of Washington citizens and legalize discrimination based on sexual orientation. Quoting from the official ballot summaries:

Initiative 608, sponsored by the Equal Rights, Not Special Rights Committee. "This measure would prohibit the state of Washington and its political subdivisions from enacting or enforcing any law or policy that grants protection against discrimination or that recognizes or provides any benefit, right, standing, or privilege to homosexuals or other persons on the basis of sexual orientation. This measure also would bar common schools, their employees, volunteers, and guests from discussing or presenting homosexuality, bisexuality, transexuality, or transvestism as appropriate, positive, or healthy in any respect."-Initiative 608 Summary, 1994-03-29

Initiative 610, was sponsored by the Citizens Alliance of Washington. "This measure would prohibit governments from according rights, status or protection from discrimination based on homosexuality; from expending funds through governmental or educational institutions to promote, approve, or present homosexuality as a positive, healthy, or acceptable condition; from recognizing same-sex marriages and gender change alterations; and from awarding homosexuals custody of their own or other children in adoption or other child custody proceedings. The measure would grant enforcement standing to residents and non-profit entities." -Initiative 610 Summary, 1994-03-29

In 1997, the HOW campaign attempted to add sexual orientation, perceived or actual, to existing anti-discrimination laws via ballot measure I-677, which ultimately failed to pass.

The collector, George Bakan, was founder and long-term editor of Seattle Gay News, and an influential advocate for LGBTQ+ rights.