top of page
Search

IAC Newsletter – September 1983

  • Steve N.
  • 5 days ago
  • 3 min read

IAC Newsletter – September 1983 (Newsletter No. 5) 

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


IAC Logo: IAC Newsletter – September 1983

The September 1983 issue of IACTIVITY is one of the earliest surviving newsletters from the IAC — capturing LGBTQ+ AA at a critical stage in its development. This issue includes major amendments to the IAC Charter, the election of new officers, fundraising efforts, preparations for LGBTQ+ participation at AA’s 1985 International Convention in Montreal, the creation of the first gay/lesbian AA speaker tape library, early Roundup listings, and the first large-scale call for personal stories for a gay/lesbian AA pamphlet.

This newsletter is a priceless historical record of LGBTQ+ AA in the early 1980s.


🌟 Council Meeting Report — Living Sober ’83 (San Francisco)


The semi-annual IAC business meeting was held on July 16, 1983, at the Living Sober Western Roundup.


Key outcomes:

✔ IAC Information Table

An information table introduced many West Coast AA members to the IAC’s mission, pamphlet, and international meeting directory.

✔ Treasurer’s Report

  • The Council remained solvent thanks to contributions from a small number of groups, Roundups, and individuals.

  • A $250 donation to AA’s General Service Office was approved as a sign of unity and gratitude for GSO’s cooperation.


📝 Major Amendments to the IAC Charter


This issue documents one of the earliest structural redesigns of the IAC.


✔ Term Changes

  • Chair and Deputy Chair terms shortened to 1 year each

  • Creation of a Past Chair position for continuity

  • Deputy Chair now “apprentices” under the Chair

  • Deputy Chair automatically rotates into Chair (with Council approval)


✔ Membership Clarification

Voting members are now defined as:

“The Regional Delegates and the Officers.”

✔ Gender-Balance Rule

Because no eligible female Delegates were available for Deputy Chair, the Charter was amended:

“The Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson positions will be filled by people of the opposite sex when possible.”

This reflects early efforts at gender balance in LGBTQ+ AA service.


👥 New Officers Elected


At the Living Sober ’83 meeting:

  • Chairperson: Eric F. (Toronto)

  • Past Chair: Patricia McG. (NY)

  • Deputy Chair: Steve B. (Indianapolis)

  • Secretary: Meo Y. (Hartford)

  • Treasurer: Bernie O. (Boston) — continuing


Eric F. would become one of the most influential early leaders in LGBTQ+ AA.


🎉 Planning Begins for LGBTQ+ Participation — 1985 AA International Convention (Montreal)


Outgoing and incoming Chairs met with representatives from the Houston Roundup to plan for a full LGBTQ+ presence at AA’s 50th Anniversary International Convention.

Plans included:

  • Hospitality center

  • Workshops

  • Gay/lesbian AA meeting

  • Dance

  • Volunteer coordination

  • Funding and logistics


This is one of the earliest documented planning meetings for what would become a historic LGBTQ+ presence at the 1985 Montreal Convention.


📅 1983 Roundups + First 1984 Roundup Announced

Remaining Roundups of 1983:

  • Philadelphia – Oct 7–9

  • Toronto – Oct 7–9

  • Houston – Nov 24–27

  • New York Big Apple – Nov 24–27


Announced for 1984:

  • Walk the Walk Round-Up – July 13–15 (New Haven / Yale University)One of the earliest Yale-hosted LGBTQ+ AA events.


🎧 NEW: Taped LGBTQ+ AA Speaker Talks — Available for the First Time


A groundbreaking new service:

The High Noon Lesbian & Gay Group of Toronto began taping its Sunday speaker meetings in 1982.

  • 30–40 minute AA talks

  • Available by mail

  • Guaranteed quality

  • $5 USD for two talks

  • Male, female, or mixed tapes available

  • Net proceeds support IAC service work


This is the earliest known LGBTQ+ AA audio library.


✍️ Urgent Call for Stories — LGBTQ+ AA Pamphlet Development


The earliest large-scale request for personal stories appears here.

Background:

  • In 1983, GSO drafted a gay/lesbian AA pamphlet

  • The General Service Conference requested more review before a 1984 decision

  • Committee members were not optimistic about its approval


Because of the delay —IAC voted to produce an interim gay/lesbian AA pamphlet of its own to carry the message immediately.

Members with 1+ year sober were asked to submit:

  • 500–1,000 word stories

  • Typed, handwritten, or dictated on cassette


The newsletter states:

“Lives may depend on us.”

This is a historic turning point in LGBTQ+ AA literature.

✉️ Guidance for Groups Facing Homophobia in AA


Two crucial letters appear:

✔ “To a British Member”

Eric F. explains how to:

  • Work with Intergroups

  • Request meeting-book listings

  • Follow Traditions

  • Deal with homophobia disguised as “Traditions arguments”

  • Use LGBTQ+ newspapers within AA guidelines

  • Assert LGBTQ+ AA’s legitimacy

  • Stay in unity, not separation


✔ “From a GSR — Call to Support the Gay/Lesbian Pamphlet”

A General Service Representative urges AA members and delegates to support approval of the GSO pamphlet in 1984, citing:

  • High rates of alcoholism in LGBTQ+ communities

  • Early gay groups (Boston, 1949)

  • Bill W.’s blessing of the first gay meetings

  • The need for identification-based literature


Ending with the AA Responsibility Declaration:

“When anyone, anywhere, reaches out for help, I want the hand of AA always to be there. And for that: I am responsible.”

IAC Newsletter – September 1983

👉 Download the full PDF:


bottom of page