October 01, 2025

"Beacons of the Bay" honors our living LGBTQ elders

Northeastern Wisconsin exhibit celebrates the connective power of history and heritage

Beacons of the Bay debuts Saturday, Oct. 3

Today, on the kick-off of National LGBT History Month and the International Day of Older People, the Wisconsin LGBTQ History Project announced its new Wisconsin Beacon program.

The program honors living LGBTQ elders (aged 55+) who have made significant lifetime contributions to the greater good of Wisconsin's LGBTQ community.

The first eight honorees are:

The Beacons of the Bay include educators, entertainers, organizers, business owners, journalists, healthcare advocates, culture keepers, and public servants who have supported critical LGBTQ causes, events, and organizations for decades.

"These individuals ignited the torches of our movement, illuminated paths for the rest of us to follow, and carried our community forward," said Mark Mariucci, long-time business owner, publisher, and community advisor for the Wisconsin LGBTQ History Project. "Without them, there would be no us."

After debuting this weekend at Green Bay Pride, the exhibit will travel across northeastern Wisconsin throughout October. Additional elements, including a documentary video series and live panel discussions, are forthcoming in the fourth quarter.

The Beacons of the Bay exhibit is dedicated to Jim Rivett, Green Bay community champion, whose relentless spirit of social responsibility later inspired the creation of the Canary Fund.

"Systemic ageism is one of the biggest barricades standing between LGBTQ people and our own heritage," said Michail Takach, chair of the Wisconsin LGBTQ History Project. "As our elders age, they often step away from nightlife, the workforce, community service, and the public eye. Unfortunately, they are often left on the outside looking in, feeling isolated, invisible, and forgotten by the community they helped build."

"However, it's the community that suffers the most. By disconnecting from elders, we disconnect ourselves from our own heritage cycle and destabilize our own strength. We lose sight of history, culture, and knowledge that we need more than ever."

"Since 1994, the Wisconsin LGBTQ History Project has committed to reconnecting our community with its past to combat this cultural amnesia and inspire a more equitable future."

The History Project will bring the Wisconsin Beacon program to southeastern Wisconsin in January with a "Beacons of Brew City" exhibit honoring LGBTQ elders from the Milwaukee metropolitan area. Visit our website for ongoing updates about the Wisconsin Beacon program.

We are thankful for the generous financial support of the Canary Fund and the Eldon E. Murray Foundation Fund in making the Beacon program possible, and to Mark Mariucci for donating his photography services to the Project.

Meet our 2025 Beacons of the Bay!