ABOUT  US 

MAJOR PROGRAMS

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Adult Opportunities 

The cornerstone of BACGD, for the past 8 years has been the monthly CD/TG First Thursday Gathering. This is a monthly safe supportive opportunity for trans and gender diverse adults to gather for social support time. On average 50 trans and gender diverse persons gather in a safe supportive place to socialize. There are over 500 trans persons who have attended at least one gathering. Check out the calendar for upcoming dates and for information regarding other opportunities for trans adults, spouses, family friends and allies.  

 

On the First Sunday evening of each month BACGD also offers a smaller group Zoom gathering for trans adults and on the third Sunday afternoon of each month there is a face to face gathering at a downtown GB Coffee shop. These groups average about 10-15 trans persons per offering. Contact the facilitator via the links listed in the calendar for more information 

 

Bay Area Trans Youth Alliance (BATYA)

BATYA is a subgroup of the Bay Area Council on Gender Diversity.  Since February 2022 they have been providing a monthly safe social support Drop In for trans youth grades 7-12 on the second Thursday of each month. Average attendance is 10-15 with over 150 youth who have attended at least once or more.  Contact TransGreenBay@gmail.com for more information. 

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Trans Artists Collaborative (TAC)

In fall 2022 this group developed and presented the “The Transperience”

at the UWGB Weidner Center. The “Transperience” is an educational multi-media, multi-medium immersive art experience. It has subsequently been installed at The Mulva library at St. Norbert College, the Neville Public Museum, and the UWGB Student Union. For more information check out their website at https://www.TheTransperience.com The TAC annually  displays a Trans Holiday Tree at the National Railroad Museum’s Polar Express Festival of Trees among other trans arts projects. 

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Trans Advocacy

Through workshop presentations, community resource fairs, and its monthly newsletter BACGD provides timely and reliable information concerning the needs and challenges faced by transgender adults, youth and their families, friends and allies.  If you are interested in securing a speaker or having BACGD set up its information and resource table at your business of community event, contact TransGreenBay@gmail.com.  Sign up for the BACGD monthly newsletter to be kept up to date concerning trans issues, concerns and coming events. 

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History – Milestones

 

Oct. 2017 – Four transgender persons gathered for the first time in the “back room” (now called the

Community Room) of the Napalese Lounge for mutual support, and laughs.

 

Nov. 2020 – The group grew in numbers. At a brainstorming session the idea emerged to explore the possibility of painting a modest public art mural on the exterior of the Napalese Lounge that would affirm and celebrate the LGBTQ+ community in Northeast Wisconsin.

 

Aug. 2021 – A weekend of Pride celebration was organized with a block party, entertainment, 600

people as the mayor of Green Bay and the Lieutenant Governor of the State of Wis, were present

for the unveiling of a 12 X 24 foot mural entitled “We Will Be Seen”. As part of the celebration a

group of parents of trans youth and community professionals gathered for a trans youth and

families meet and greet social. This group formed the foundation for the Bay Area Trans Youth

Alliance (BATYA).

 

Feb. 2022 – The first monthly meeting of the Trans Youth Drop In was co-sponsored with BATYA and

offered at the private party room of Dave and Busters.

 

June 2022 – A group of trans artists and creatives were invited to participate in a unique immersive

art experience at the UW – Green Bay Weidner Center called Unhinged. The group, now known as

the Trans Artists Collective (TAC) created The Transperience – an immersive art installation that

utilized digital images, soft sculptures, music, etc. to introduce people to the joys and challenges of

the trans feminine experience.

 

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Feb. 2023 – A Board of Directors was recruited and Articles of incorporation were filed to create the

Bay Area Council on Gender Diversity (BACGD) an all-volunteer, IRS recognized 501c(3) nonprofit

corporation

 

May 2023 – The Bay Area Council on Gender Diversity marched in the Milwaukee Pride

Parade

 

May 2023 – The Bay Area Trans Youth Alliance (BATYA) held the first ever Bay Area LGBTQ+ High

School Prom.

 

Oct. 2023 – The Trans Artists Collaborative (TAC) installed The Transperience for one week at the Mulva library at St. Norbert College. 

 

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June 2023 – The book “Dining Out”  by NY Times writer - Eric Piepenberg is published. Chapter 6 “The Trans Nexus – Napalese Lounge and Grille” – tells the trans life stories of the BACGD and members of the trans community who gather at the Napalese Lounge.

 

August 2023 – the first, now annual trans summer picnic is held at Bay Beach Amusement Park 

 

November 2023 – the first issue of what has become a monthly BACGD Newsletter is published

 

June 2024 – BACGD supports the first ever Two Spirit Special as part of the Onedia 50th anniversary Pow Wow. 

 

July 2024 – The Transperience is installed for six weeks at the Neville Public Museum

 

November 2024 – To commemorate the annual Trans Day of Remembrance the BACGD collaborates with Family Services of NE Wis and NWTC to offer annual suicide awareness and prevention program

 

December 2024 – Greater Green Bay Community Foundation provides two year capacity building grant to solidify organization and create an organizational long range plan.  

 

March 2025 – BACGD organizes successful Trans Day of Visibility celebration and sells out The Tarlton in downtown Green Bay. 

 

September 2025 – BACGD participates in Be the Light suicide awareness and prevention walk in downtown Green Bay

 

January 2026 – President of BACGD is publicly recognized by the Wis LGBTQ+ Historical Project as one of eight elderly Beacons of Light named from Northeast Wisconsin.

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Board

Martha Marvel – President
Green Bay, WI

Rachel Eve Maes – Vice President
Green Bay, WI

Maggie Williams – Secretary
Neenah, WI

Julian L. Sieber – Treasurer
Green Bay, WI

Justis R. Tenpenny – Member
DePere, WI