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IAC Newsletter – October 1990

  • Steve N.
  • Nov 16
  • 3 min read

IAC Newsletter – October 1990 (Issue No. 16).

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


IAC Logo: IAC Newsletter – October 1990

The October 1990 edition of IACTIVITY documents one of the most significant milestones in LGBTQ+ AA history: the massive turnout and success of the 1990 International AA Convention in Seattle. This issue celebrates the volunteers, events, and fellowship that brought thousands of LGBTQ+ AA members together from across the world. It also includes important service updates, calls for financial support, elections information, directory details, and the Fall 1990 roundup calendar.


🌈 Seattle International Convention — A Historic Gathering

Several thousand LGBTQ+ AA members attended the 1990 Convention in Seattle, easily recognizable by their yellow IAC buttons. IAC hosted landmark events that left a lasting impact:


🏢 IAC Hospitality Suite — A Worldwide Gathering Point


Located on the 35th floor of the Sheraton with sweeping skyline views, the suite became:

  • A meeting place for LGBTQ+ members from nearly every U.S. state, Canadian province, and multiple foreign countries

  • A hub for fellowship, newcomer support, and conversation

  • A safe and welcoming space long before such spaces were common


A memorable moment: A man from Italy visited the suite after the closing ceremony and came out for the first time. Members were present to support him, reminding him he wouldn’t drink over it.


💃 IAC Dance — 1,300 Attendees!


The Friday night dance drew 1,300 sober LGBTQ+ alcoholics, making it one of the largest gay AA dances ever held up to that point.


🙌 Volunteers Made It All Possible


More than 200 volunteers staffed the dances and hospitality suite.Special recognition was given to the dedicated Seattle volunteers including:

  • Randy — for receiving and staging early shipments

  • Lynn S. — for organizing local volunteer teams


✏️ IAC Needs a New Newsletter Editor


With the Seattle Convention completed, IAC announced:

  • A vacancy for Newsletter Editor

  • Production team positions also available

  • Printing, postage, labels, and envelopes provided by IAC

  • Members invited to call Mike Z. in Honolulu to volunteer


💰 Critical Appeal for Financial Support


This issue includes a candid report on IAC’s financial struggles:

  • Over 800 LGBTQ+ AA groups were listed in the meeting directory

  • But only 31 groups (4%) contributed financially the previous year

  • IAC ran out of funds just before the Seattle Convention

  • Printing costs were rising sharply:

    • Last newsletter: $707

    • New meeting directory: $3,888


IAC asked groups to support:

  • The 7th Tradition at the group level

  • The birthday plan (donating $1 per sober year)

  • Regular contributions to sustain the organization


📘 1990 LGBTQ+ AA World Directory Available Now


The new World Directory of Gay & Lesbian AA Meetings was officially released.

Pricing:

  • $3 + $1 shipping (single copy)

  • 5+ copies: $2.75 each + $2 shipping per order


Available by mail order through the IAC PO Box.


🗳 IAC Elections – March 1991 in Miami


Announcements included:

  • All officer terms expire in Spring 1991

  • Elections to be held at the Miami Roundup (March 15–18, 1991)

  • Open positions:

    • Secretary

    • Treasurer

  • Minimum requirements: 3 years sobriety and service experience

  • The Deputy Chair traditionally rotates into the role of Chair


Also on the agenda: Amendments to the original 1981 IAC Charter.


👥 Reps Needed Across All Regions


Regional & city reps urgently needed to improve communication with local groups.

Active reps listed for:

  • Seattle

  • San Diego

  • San Francisco

  • Los Angeles

  • Denver

  • Arlington (VA)


Most regions and all of Canada were still open.


🎉 Fall 1990 LGBTQ+ Roundup Calendar


A compact but historically important roundup list for late 1990–1991:

  • Provincetown Roundup 1990 – Oct 26–28

  • River City Roundup (Sacramento) – Nov 24–25

  • Houston Roundup 1990 – Nov 22–25

  • Big Apple Roundup (NYC) – Nov 22–25

  • S.E. Massachusetts Roundup – Feb 15–18, 1991

  • Celebrate Sobriety (Vancouver) – April 5–7, 1991

  • Miracles Happen (Laguna Beach) – May 3–5, 1991

  • AALA Roundup (Los Angeles) – May 24–27, 1991


These events helped shape the LGBTQ+ Roundup culture that continues today.


IAC Newsletter – October 1990

👉 Download the full PDF:


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