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IAC Newsletter – December 1995

  • Steve N.
  • Nov 15
  • 3 min read

IAC Newsletter – December 1995

(International Advisory Council for Homosexual Men & Women in AA)


IAC Logo: IAC Newsletter – December 1995

The December 1995 edition of IACTIVITY is a rich archival issue focusing on Tradition Five, the purpose of special composition groups, San Diego 1995 International Convention details, IAC elections, new intergroup announcements, financial contributions, and a full LGBTQ+ roundup calendar for 1995–1996. It offers a detailed snapshot of LGBTQ+ AA service work before the turn of the century.


The issue opens with a thoughtful feature article on Tradition Five: “Each group has but one primary purpose — to carry its message to the alcoholic who still suffers.”Key themes include:

  • Why LGBTQ+ AA groups exist and how they fit within AA’s Traditions

  • Why groups cannot restrict membership (AA is open to all who have a desire to stop drinking)

  • The need to keep the focus on recovery, not outside issues

  • How newcomers interpret a meeting’s format and message

  • The importance of sponsorship, 12-Step work, and effective meeting leadership

  • Questions every group can use for self-inventory


This article was widely circulated at the time and remains one of IAC’s strongest writings on LGBTQ+ AA identity within AA’s Traditions.


🗳 IAC Elections – To Be Held at the 1995 International Convention (San Diego)


Open Board of Directors positions:

  • Deputy Chair

  • Secretary

  • Treasurer


Chair rotates automatically from Deputy Chair and is not up for nomination.

Nominations required submitting an AA service résumé by May 1, 1995, mailed to the IAC PO Box in Washington, DC.


Voting privileges extended to:

  • IAC Regional Representatives

  • IAC Board of Directors


✉️ “We Get Letters” — Fellowship Correspondence


Members wrote from across the U.S. expressing:

  • Gratitude for the IAC Hospitality Suite at the 1990 Seattle convention

  • Requests for the new LGBTQ+ AA meeting directory

  • Interest in volunteering in San Diego

  • Questions about lodging and events

  • Donations of support


Letters came from places including Long Beach, Boston, and across the early digital AA community (CompuServe, AOL, etc.).


🌈 Vote for the New IAC Lapel Pin


A ballot is included for choosing between:

Option A

Yellow & Black IAC Triangle (traditional)


Option B

Rainbow IAC Triangle (new proposal)


Members cut out the ballot and mailed it to the IAC PO Box by April 30, 1995.

This remains one of the earliest known “branding vote” moments in LGBTQ+ AA history.


🏳️‍🌈 New LGBTQ+ Intergroup Launches in Northern New Jersey


The North Garden State Intergroup was formally established and registered with AA’s World Service Office. Their mission:

  • Respond to 12-Step calls

  • Help LGBTQ+ alcoholics find meetings

  • Provide local service opportunities


All North Jersey groups were encouraged to contact the new office.


📖 Introduction to the International Advisory Council


This issue reprints the full IAC Charter, including:

What IAC is:

  • A communication link for LGBTQ+ AA groups

  • A directory publisher

  • A loners correspondence program (for isolated, incarcerated, or military members)

  • A newsletter publisher

  • A roundup liaison

  • A volunteer-driven service board


What IAC is not:

  • Not a policy-making board

  • Not separate from AA

  • Not opposed to local intergroups or GSO


This Charter is one of the most historically significant documents in early LGBTQ+ AA service history.


🎉 International Convention – San Diego 1995 LGBTQ+ Events


A complete itinerary is included, featuring:

Hospitality Suite

  • Embassy Suites Hotel Atrium & Ballroom

  • Open Thursday noon → Sunday 10 AM

  • Staffed by 167 volunteers minimum


Workshops

  1. LGBTQ Historical Perspectives

  2. LGBTQ Service at All Levels

  3. Primary Purpose & LGBTQ AA


IAC Council Meeting

Friday, June 30 – electing new officers.


Giant LGBTQ Sober Dance

Saturday, July 1Town & Country Hotel10 PM – 1 AM$7 advance / $10 at the door

This remains one of the largest LGBTQ AA dances ever held before the year 2000.


💰 Financial Contributions – 1994–1995


Dozens of LGBTQ+ AA groups, roundups, and intergroups contributed financially — including:

  • Living Sober (San Francisco)

  • Lambda Alano (Las Vegas)

  • Big D Roundup (Dallas)

  • Open to All (Boston)

  • Back to Basics (Alexandria, VA)

  • Acceptance Group (Charleston, SC)

  • Vancouver G&A (Canada)

  • Tokyo (Japan)

  • Many more across the U.S. and Canada


A note from the Treasurer explains that:

  • Donations were down in 1994

  • Only 1/3 of the San Diego convention budget had been raised at the time of publication


📅 1995–1996 LGBTQ+ Roundup Calendar


This issue contains a multi-page roundup directory — one of the earliest detailed LGBTQ+ AA event calendars.


Roundups listed include:

  • Big Apple Roundup (NYC)

  • Celebrate Sobriety (Vancouver)

  • Big D Roundup (Dallas)

  • Sober in the Sun (Palm Springs)

  • Unity in Sobriety (Oakland)

  • Big Easy Does It (New Orleans)

  • Florida Roundup (Miami)

  • Chicago’s Happy, Joyous & Free

  • San Francisco Living Sober

  • Montreal Roundup

  • Detroit Together We Can

  • Many more across U.S., Canada, and Europe


IAC Newsletter – December 1995

👉 Download the full PDF:


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