Ann Disinger, who was 69 years old as of December 2021, was raised in Columbia, Missouri. After studying education at the University of Missouri-Columbia, Disinger moved to the St. Louis area in 1975 to teach high school home economics. She later worked as a building inspector.

Disinger quickly became involved in the North St. Louis County chapter of the National Organization for Women (NOW) and immersed herself in feminist activism, particularly the struggle to pass the Equal Rights Amendment to the US Constitution. She also fought for abortion rights and pushed for her chapter of NOW to address lesbian and gay concerns. At the same time, Disinger pursued her attraction to women, participating in St. Louis's lesbian scene and becoming involved in long-term romantic relationships with other women. In the 1980s, Disinger volunteered for Wired Women, a St. Louis-based lesbian-centered music production company.

However, Disinger was also attracted to men and identified as bisexual -- a fact that she says alienated her from many members of the local lesbian community. In 1994 or shortly thereafter, Disinger joined the recently formed Bisexual Alliance of St. Louis (BASL), the region's first organization devoted to bisexual community building and empowerment. She has been a leading member of BASL ever since.