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IAC Newsletter – Spring 1994

  • Steve N.
  • Nov 15
  • 3 min read

IAC Newsletter – Spring 1994

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


IAC Logo: IAC Newsletter – Spring 1994

The Spring 1994 issue of IACTIVITY is an extraordinary archival edition filled with personal recovery stories, LGBTQ+ AA history, early roundup listings, Tradition Two reflections, and community correspondence from around the world. This newsletter demonstrates how the IAC served as a lifeline for LGBTQ+ AA members long before the days of websites and social media.


🌟 “Watch What You Pray For!” — Message from IAC Secretary Hilda C.


Hilda shares her journey into AA service work:

  • Early sobriety in San Antonio

  • Serving as GSR for Lambda groups in Texas and Michigan

  • Becoming IAC Tape Librarian

  • Being confirmed as IAC Secretary at the Vancouver Council Meeting

  • Discovering the meaningful responsibility of reading mail from LGBTQ+ AA members across the globe


Her story highlights the humility, willingness, and spiritual growth that come from AA service.


💔 “Tom’s Story” — A profound personal share of survival, love, loss & recovery


One of the most powerful stories ever published in IACTIVITY.

Tom, an orphan living on the streets of Utah and Los Angeles, was adopted at 14 by a man named Chuck — the first person ever to show him love and stability. After Chuck died from early AIDS in 1982, Tom fell into addiction, despair, and a suicide attempt.

In 1987 he walked into a gay AA meeting in Las Vegas and began a new life he never thought possible. Today he gives back through writing to loners and incarcerated LGBTQ+ alcoholics who need connection and hope.


🌈 “We Get Letters” — Fellowship Correspondence


AA members write from Alaska, Arizona, Connecticut, and Germany, sharing:

  • Group donations

  • Requests for meeting directories

  • Offers to serve as IAC representatives

  • Updates on new LGBTQ+ meetings

  • Regional service opportunities


These letters show how important IAC was as a communication hub in the 1990s.


📖 Tradition Two Reflection — by Reilly K.


A thoughtful and often humorous look at:

  • Group conscience

  • Trusted servants vs. authority

  • How unity grows out of disagreement

  • Why AA has no “enforceable rules”

  • The spiritual purpose behind rotating leadership


Reilly’s writing is a classic example of AA wisdom applied to LGBTQ+ groups.


🏳️‍🌈 History of Gay AA – Seattle by Steve R.


A rare, detailed historical account of early LGBTQ+ AA in Seattle, including:

  • Live and Let Live (formed 1976) — the city’s first gay AA meeting

  • Acceptance — a candlelight meeting formed soon after

  • K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple Sunday) — formed as demand grew

  • The “yellow house” era beginning in 1982

  • How these meetings grew into a strong LGBTQ+ AA community

  • Tom’s early service experience (including accidentally making coffee with 5 jars of instant!)

  • How Seattle LGBTQ+ AA eventually moved into a permanent clubhouse


This is one of the oldest known written histories of gay AA in the Pacific Northwest.


🦅 “Flight Pattern” — A Parable on Unity


A well-loved inspirational piece comparing geese flying in formation to AA fellowship:

  • Shared strength

  • Mutual support

  • Rotation of leadership

  • Staying in alignment with others moving in the same direction

  • Caring for the sick or struggling


It reinforces the power of unity and community in recovery.


🗂 IAC Meeting Directory Updates & New Representatives


  • New reps sought for Northeast states and East-Central Region

  • New Germany representative announced

  • Reminder to use the IAC Update Form for meeting listings and directory corrections


🎉 1994 LGBTQ+ AA Roundup Calendar


Dozens of early LGBTQ+ roundups are listed, including:

  • Celebrate Sobriety (Vancouver)

  • Sober in the Sun (Palm Springs)

  • Unity in Sobriety (Oakland)

  • Vision of Hope (Rochester, NY)

  • Miracles Happen (Orange County)

  • Bluegrass Roundup (Kentucky)

  • Happy, Joyous & Free (Chicago)

  • Living Sober (San Francisco)

  • Land of Enchantment (New Mexico)

  • Soberfest (Las Vegas)

  • Capitol Roundup (Washington, DC)

  • Hotlanta Roundup (Atlanta)

  • Gratitude Roundup (Toronto)


Many of these roundups still exist today — this is one of the earliest surviving calendars.


💰 Contributions – Dec 1993 through March 1994


Hundreds of dollars donated by LGBTQ+ AA groups, individuals, and roundups across the U.S., Canada, and Hawaii.


Groups included:

  • Gay Joyous & Free (Anchorage)

  • Lavender Hill (Oakland)

  • Live & Let Live (CA, WA)

  • Men’s Stag

  • Rainbow Group

  • Doylestown Friday Night Men’s

  • Club 449 groups (Hawaii)

  • Lambda groups (TX, MN)

  • Washington, DC groups

  • Kearney & Omaha (NE)

  • Maui, Honolulu & Kauai groups

  • Dozens more


Contributions helped fund directories, newsletters, and IAC's international communication efforts.


IAC Newsletter – Spring 1994

👉 Download the full PDF:


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