IAC Newsletter – November 1987

Steve N.
Nov 16
3 min read

IAC Newsletter – November 1987 (Issue No. 10)

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

The November 1987 issue of IACTIVITY is one of the earliest and most historically significant documents in LGBTQ+ AA service. It includes the first formal attempt to secure a Conference-approved AA pamphlet for gay and lesbian alcoholics, the establishment of the Roundup Liaison role, early computer-based outreach, results from the first gay/lesbian Triennial AA Survey, and news of new LGBTQ+ AA meetings — including the earliest known group in Mexico City.

This issue marks the moment when LGBTQ+ AA began shifting from scattered local meetings to a coordinated international service movement.

🌟 New IAC Leadership Installed – July 3, San Francisco

The new officers elected and installed:

Chair: Elaine N.
Vice-Chair: Rey A.
Treasurer: Bob D.
Secretary: William R.
Newsletter Editor: Charles D.
Roundup Liaison: Rick Y. (newly created role)
International Directory: Nancy T.
International Outreach: Ed B.
Special Projects: Dewey C.
Mailing List: Richard W.
Advisor: Fred J.
Past Chair: Alan H.

These leaders shaped the early development of the LGBTQ+ AA service structure.

🏳️‍🌈 Major Announcement: Proposal for Conference-Approved Pamphlet Begins

This issue marks the first official attempt to obtain a General Service Conference-approved pamphlet written specifically for gay and lesbian alcoholics.

Highlights:

GSO Board presentation scheduled for January 31, 1988
Pamphlet designed to reach people who believe their sexual orientation disqualifies them from AA
Modeled after IAC’s earlier grassroots pamphlet:“Gay or Lesbian and Alcoholic?”
Effort expected to take several years
Community support and letters encouraged

This work eventually led to AA pamphlet P-32: “A.A. and the Gay/Lesbian Alcoholic.”

🎉 Roundup Liaison Role Created — Growth of LGBTQ+ AA Events

Because of rapid expansion in LGBTQ-focused AA gatherings, IAC created its first Roundup Liaison position.

Duties of Rick Y., the first liaison:

Compile complete master list of LGBTQ+ Roundups & conferences
Distribute IAC information packets to each event
Coordinate scheduling to maximize participation

Early Roundups referenced in this issue include Boston, Memphis, Washington DC, Houston, San Diego, and more.

💻 Early Computer Outreach – Recovery Network

IAC began distributing Council information via:

38 computer bulletin boards

(precursor to the Internet)

This marks the first known use of electronic communication in LGBTQ+ AA service.

🌎 1986 Triennial AA Survey – First Time LGBTQ+ AA Groups Included

GSO surveyed LGBTQ+ AA meetings in:

Washington, D.C.
Northern Virginia
Southern Maryland

Key findings (compared to AA as a whole):

Under 31 years old: 31% (vs 21%)
Female: 21% (vs 34%)
Average sobriety: 48 months (vs 51)
Meetings/week: 4–5 (vs 3–4)
Dual-addicted (drugs/alcohol): 47% (vs 38%)

This is the earliest known demographic data on LGBTQ+ AA members.

🇲🇽 New LGBTQ+ Meeting in Mexico City — Earliest Known Record

A new gay AA group formed:

NOVO 122 (Gay)Calle de Culiacán 122, Altos 1, Mexico City7 meetings per week Contact: Héctor M.

This is the earliest documented LGBTQ+ AA group in Mexico.

🏳️‍🌈 IAC Planning for 1990 International AA Convention (Seattle)

GSO requested IAC provide:

A Hospitality Suite
A Gay & Lesbian AA Dance
Workshops/panels addressing LGBTQ+ issues in sobriety

Seattle AA members contacted IAC offering assistance.

This laid groundwork for the historic LGBTQ+ participation at the Seattle Convention.

IAC Newsletter – November 1987