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IAC Newsletter – June 1988

  • Steve N.
  • Nov 16
  • 3 min read

IAC Newsletter – June 1988 (Issue No. 12)

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


IAC Logo: IAC Newsletter – June 1988

The June 1988 issue of IACTIVITY captures a major moment in LGBTQ+ AA history — the AA General Service Conference had just considered the proposal for a Conference-approved pamphlet for gay and lesbian alcoholics, the 1988 World Directory of LGBTQ+ AA Meetings was released, international outreach was expanding, and Roundups were growing nationwide and overseas.

This issue is packed with early LGBTQ+ AA history, international group developments, and one of the largest Roundup calendars of the 1980s.


🌟 AA General Service Conference Supports a Gay/Lesbian AA Pamphlet


For the first time, the GSC (held at GSO in New York):

  • Heard a proposal for a new Conference-approved pamphlet aimed at gay & lesbian alcoholics

  • Delegates overwhelmingly affirmed the need for such literature

  • Rural AA groups expressed strong support, recognizing a need to reach members who feel isolated

  • Urban groups were sometimes less supportive because special-interest groups already existed


IAC thanked all LGBTQ+ members who wrote to their GSRs, Delegates, and GSO in support of this literature. This was the earliest formal movement leading to pamphlet P-32: “A.A. and the Gay/Lesbian Alcoholic.”


📘 1988 World Directory of Gay & Lesbian AA Meetings Released


A major milestone: The 1988 World Directory of Gay and Lesbian Groups of AA was completed and released for distribution.


Price: $2.50 per copyOrder Address:IACPO Box 90Washington, DC 20044

Special thanks were given to:

  • Nancy T. – primary compiler

  • John H. & Bill T. – layout and paste-up production


This directory was the only global LGBTQ+ AA meeting list available in 1988.


🏳️‍🌈 International: London Gay & Lesbian Groups Hold Annual Convention


London’s LGBTQ+ AA groups announced their annual one-day convention:


“Courage to Change”September 3, 1988Institute of Christian Studies84 Margaret Street, London W1


Attendance: 3 pounds


This was one of the earliest recurring LGBTQ+ AA events in Europe.


✉️ Important: IAC Address Change


Members were still mistakenly sending mail to the old New York PO Box.The new (and correct) address:

IAC – PO Box 90, Washington, DC 20044

Roundup updates were still to be sent directly to Rick Y. in New Jersey.


🧭 “Gay Groups: A Part Of — Or Apart From?”


A major essay exploring:

  • The role of LGBTQ+ groups in the AA service structure

  • Whether groups remain connected or drift away from AA unity

  • Why groups should participate in District, Area, and General Service

  • How the GSR system ensures every group's voice reaches GSO

  • Why being part of AA (not separate from it) protects Tradition One

  • Encouragement for LGBTQ+ groups to show up at assemblies and participate fully


This is one of the earliest printed calls for LGBTQ+ AA groups to integrate into mainstream AA service.


📜 “Brief Guide to Historical Events of Significance to Gay Men and Lesbians in AA” – Part 2


A continuation of the historical timeline begun in Issue 11.This installment covers:

1972

  • Princeton, NJ group begins meeting (still active in 1988)

1973

  • Twelfth Tradition Group founded in Toronto

  • “The Homosexual Alcoholic” pamphlet written by Princeton group and published in D.C.

1974

  • GSC officially approves listing gay groups in AA directories

  • First gay/lesbian meeting in London begins

1975

  • “Gay or Lesbian and Alcoholic?” pamphlet appears at the Denver World Congress

  • Later translated into French by Toronto’s Twelfth Tradition Group


Compiled by Rey A., this series is one of the most important early records of LGBTQ+ AA history.


🎉 Huge 1988 Roundup Calendar


One of the largest and most geographically diverse LGBTQ+ Roundup listings ever published in the 1980s, including:


June 1988

  • Big Apple Round Up (NYC)

  • Rose City Soberfaire (Portland)

  • Chicago ’88

  • Twin Cities Gay/Lesbian Roundup

  • Roundup on the River (Memphis)

July 1988

  • Living Sober (San Francisco)

  • Memphis Fireworks Cruise (Big Apple Roundup)

August 1988

  • Walk The Walk (New Haven)

  • Milwaukee Round Up

  • AALA (Los Angeles)

  • Capitol Roundup (Washington DC)

  • Ohio Round Up

  • Maine Connection

September 1988

  • San Diego “Feeling Good ’88”

  • Rocky Mountain Round Up (Denver)

  • Gratitude ’88 (Toronto)

  • Freedom Round Up (Philadelphia)

November 1988

  • Big Apple Roundup (NYC)

Plus “Other Roundup Addresses” for:

  • Phoenix

  • Oakland

  • Detroit

  • Pittsburgh

  • Austin/San Antonio

  • Houston

  • Dallas

  • Vancouver

  • Montreal

  • Calgary


This calendar is an extraordinary historical artifact documenting LGBTQ+ AA gatherings long before websites or email.


IAC Newsletter – June 1988

👉 Download the full PDF:


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