Positive Voice

Positive Voice was an LGBTQ community organization that served Northeast Wisconsin, providing social, educational, outreach, and community-building opportunities in the Green Bay and Appleton areas. It was known as Northeast Wisconsin's largest gay and lesbian organization.

The organization traced its roots to the summer of 1992, when a group of community-minded individuals gathered at a private home on Adams Street in Green Bay to discuss creating a new LGBTQ organization for Northeast Wisconsin. As attendance grew, meetings moved from private homes to conference rooms at the Brown County Library.

From the beginning, Positive Voice sought to provide LGBTQ people with an alternative to the traditional bar scene—a place to meet, support one another, and participate in educational, social, and community activities. The name Positive Voice reflected the founders’ desire to promote hope, positive energy, and a new direction for the local LGBTQ community.

The organization established four guiding principles: to empower and support the LGBTQ community; treat people with respect, dignity, and love; create an atmosphere of sharing, trust, and confidence; and build strong relationships while encouraging personal growth and the exploration of individual talents.

Positive Voice incorporated in 1994 and became a registered nonprofit organization. During the late 1990s, two other Northeast Wisconsin organizations -- Northern Womyn of Green Bay and GLEEDA of Appleton -- merged with Positive Voice. The expanded membership brought together a broader range of experiences, interests, and community connections and helped the organization grow.

Over the years, Positive Voice developed a wide range of programs and events. Small, member-hosted holiday gatherings evolved into larger holiday socials at hotels and conference centers. The organization also hosted discussion groups, educational programs, fundraising events, and community dialogues with public officials. Its annual Day of Discovery conference featured guest speakers and attracted participants from throughout the region. Positive Voice also hosted more than a dozen LGBTQ conferences and numerous social and educational events.

Positive Voice built partnerships with numerous community and LGBTQ organizations, including ARCW, Bay City Chorus, ACLU, Angels of Hope MCC, PFLAG, NEWIST, UCC, UUF, GLBT Partnership, Harmony Café, the Multicultural Center, Fair Wisconsin, Rainbow Gathering, and the Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce. The organization also worked with local, state, and federal public officials on issues affecting the LGBTQ community.

In 2007, the Positive Voice board formally adopted a mission focused on supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning people, along with their families and allies, through community outreach, education, collaboration, and social activities.

Positive Voice maintained a presence in both Green Bay and Appleton. Its Appleton office operated from the Fox Valley Rotary Multicultural Center, where some meetings and programs were held. The organization also held its Friday Night Potluck at Harmony Café, located next door.

Many Positive Voice programs were open to the general public, while others were designed specifically for particular community groups or membership audiences. Committee meetings provided opportunities for people interested in volunteering and helping shape the organization’s programs and activities.

Throughout its history, Positive Voice helped create spaces where LGBTQ people in Northeast Wisconsin could connect outside traditional bar settings, build relationships, share information, and participate in community life. 

Positive Voice is no longer operating. We welcome any additional information about this organization.