IAC Newsletter – February 1989
- Steve N.
- Nov 16
- 3 min read
IAC Newsletter – February 1989 (Issue No. 13)
(International Advisory Council for Homosexual Men & Women in AA)
The February 1989 issue of IACTIVITY is one of the earliest surviving newsletters from the International Advisory Council (IAC), offering a rare look into the early years of LGBTQ+ AA service. This issue includes officer vacancies, upcoming elections, early international meeting development, Seattle 1990 Convention planning, and a snapshot of Roundup culture as it existed in the late 1980s.
🌟 Major Officer Vacancies — Elections at the Phoenix Roundup
Because of resignations, rotation, and professional commitments, three IAC officer positions were vacant:
Deputy Chair
Secretary
Treasurer
Elections were scheduled for the Phoenix “Spring Break” Roundup – April 14–16, 1989.
Requirements included:
Minimum 3 years continuous sobriety
Past AA service experience as a trusted servant
Ability to attend up to three Roundup-based Council Meetings per year
Willingness to represent LGBTQ+ AA groups worldwide
This call for service helped shape the leadership that would guide IAC into the 1990s.
🏳️🌈 Two Major Roundups Seeking Speakers
Detroit “Together We Can” Roundup – April 9–11, 1989
Looking for AA speakers with 5+ years sobriety
Airfare, lodging, and registration provided
AALA (Los Angeles) Roundup – August 11–13, 1989
Seeking two men and two women with 10+ years sobriety
Must be able to carry the message clearly and effectively
Travel and lodging covered
This represents some of the earliest documented LGBTQ+ AA speaker recruitment.
🇨🇭 New LGBTQ+ AA Group in Basel, Switzerland
A milestone in international LGBTQ+ AA history:
AA-Gruppe Weiherweg – Basel, Switzerland Tuesdays, 8:00–10:00 PM (German language, English-friendly)
This is one of the earliest known gay-focused AA groups in Switzerland.
🏢 IAC Visit to GSO New York — Seattle 1990 Planning Begins
Four IAC Council members met at AA’s General Service Office on June 27, 1988 to plan for the upcoming 1990 International AA Convention in Seattle.
GSO authorized IAC to host:
A 24-hour Hospitality Suite
Three LGBTQ-focused workshops
A Friday night LGBTQ+ AA dance
GSO also advised that a “stories-based” gay pamphlet would likely fail at Conference, while an informational pamphlet had better chances — shaping the direction of early LGBTQ+ AA literature efforts.
✈️ Facility Search Trip — Seattle Convention Prep
IAC representatives visited eight venues in Seattle to secure space for:
Workshops
Hospitality Suite
LGBTQ+ Dance
GSO would later decide on the final allocations.
🏳️🌈 IAC Meeting in San Diego (Feeling Good Roundup – September 1988)
Key outcomes:
Rey A. confirmed as Acting Chair after the resignation of Elaine N.
Decision to not lobby AA delegates directly for the gay pamphlet (risk of backlash)
3,000 copies of the 1988 World Directory of Gay/Lesbian Groups were printed
Costs documented:
Printing: $1,600
Mailing: $765
IAC was represented at Roundups in Boston, Memphis, Houston, Washington, & San Diego.
🏳️🌈 Third World & People of Color Outreach Established
Mark H. (Los Angeles) volunteered as the first coordinator for outreach to LGBTQ+ alcoholics who are:
Black
Latino
Asian
Indigenous
Or from “Third World” countries (a common term in 1989)
This was a major early step toward diversity and inclusion.
🎉 1989 LGBTQ+ AA Roundup Calendar
A rare snapshot of LGBTQ+ AA Roundups in the late 1980s:
February 11, 1989 – Long Island Roundup (NY)
Summer Dance Party + Fashion Auction Ethical Humanist Garden City
March 17–20, 1989 – Florida ’89 Roundup (Miami)
Deauville Hotel, Miami Beach
April 7–9, 1989 – Detroit “Together We Can”
Pontchartrain Hotel, Detroit
April 14–16, 1989 – Phoenix “Spring Break”
Holiday Inn / Holidome – Phoenix
May 5–7, 1989 – Miracles Happen ’89 (Laguna Beach)
San Clemente Ramada Inn
This is one of the earliest detailed roundup calendars preserved in your entire archive.
IAC Newsletter – February 1989
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