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IAC Newsletter Summary — Winter/Spring 2004 (Issue No. 52)

  • GaL-AA Newsletter Committee
  • Dec 5, 2025
  • 4 min read

IAC Newsletter Summary — Winter/Spring 2004 (Issue No. 52)

This issue departs from the usual format to feature two major historical and cultural articles about LGBTQ AA: the history of gay meetings and the Lambda Center in Phoenix, Arizona, and an in-depth personal narrative describing the challenges and evolution of LGBTQ AA in Cape Town, South Africa. It also includes a full Treasurer’s Report and roundup listings for 2004.


IAC Logo: IAC Newsletter Summary — Winter/Spring 2004 (Issue No. 52)

🌈 Feature Story — GLBT AA in Phoenix, Arizona

By Chuck H., IAC Secretary(Pages 1–2)

A detailed historical look at the beginnings and growth of gay AA in Phoenix, one of the earlier LGBTQ AA communities in the United States.


Beginnings (1974–1975):

  • Phoenix’s first gay AA meeting appeared in 1974 — not as a full meeting, but simply as a phone number in the meeting directory.

  • If at least three interested people called, a meeting would be held.

  • By mid-1975, three members committed to hosting a weekly meeting: Alcoholics Together.

  • The meeting still exists today.


Growth Through the 1980s:

  • As attendance increased, members experimented with additional meetings hosted in homes until they could fund outside rental space.

  • Eventually Phoenix had meetings every night — and sometimes multiple meetings per day.

  • Saturday night meetings drew 100+ attendees.


Birth of Phoenix Spring Break Roundup (1984):

  • Inspired by other growing gay roundups, Phoenix launched its own in March 1984.

  • It quickly grew into an international roundup with attendees from the U.S., Canada, and Germany.

  • Startup funds were nearly nonexistent — the first event cost roughly $5,000, with coffee being the largest expense.

  • A volunteer attorney encouraged incorporation to protect members financially.

  • The event survived entirely on hope and service, became self-supporting, and remains active after 21+ years.


Creation of the Phoenix Lambda Center (1990s):

  • As meetings multiplied, members sought a permanent home.

  • Their first building was a converted popsicle factory, renovated entirely by volunteers.

  • Within two years the center outgrew the space and moved to a larger facility at 2622 N. 16th Street.

  • The Center is open to any 12-step group and hosts AA, Al-Anon, Alateen, and various recovery meetings.

  • Features include:

    • daily AA meetings (noon, 6pm, 8pm)

    • women-only meetings

    • monthly birthday dinner meeting

    • annual fundraisers

    • memberships: $50/year or $15/quarter

  • Phoenix Lambda Center maintains a website with schedules and updates.


🌍 Feature Story — Cape Town’s Gay Men’s Group (South Africa)

By Mike G., IAC South Africa National Representative(Pages 2–4)

A powerful, personal account of LGBTQ AA experience on another continent, revealing both the shared nature of recovery and the unique struggles of LGBTQ members in South Africa.


A New Life in Cape Town:

Mike describes moving from California to Cape Town after years of considering relocation. His early days were filled with anxiety, jet lag, and awe at the region’s beauty.


Entering the AA Community:

  • His first meeting was a candlelight service in Rondebosch.

  • Soon he attended the gay/lesbian meeting at Hope Street, a room filled with diverse accents, mismatched furniture, religious iconography, and powerful shares.

  • Despite cultural differences, stories of loss, love, and hope felt universally familiar.


Depth of Recovery at Hope Street:

  • Members shared with rare honesty, emotional depth, and intimacy.

  • Many visitors came and went, but those who stayed found transformative healing.

  • The Hope Street location was eventually closed and meetings moved to a convent nearby.


Inspiration to Form a New Group:

Mike and friends felt a need for a meeting specifically addressing gay male relationships and recovery, a topic rarely explored in mixed meetings.

  • They began creating a new group, later named Cocktail-tales.

  • Starting the group was challenging — rent, literature costs, and economic instability complicated everything.

  • A single Big Book could cost a newcomer an entire week’s wages.


The Challenge of Getting Literature:

While preparing for a trip to the U.S., Mike emailed contacts seeking support. What followed was extraordinary:


A “Higher Power Guided” Chain of Events:

  • In Minneapolis, a member discreetly handed him a donation.

  • In San Francisco, an AA group approved sending literature overseas.

  • In Washington, D.C., a stranger recognized him and gifted a bundle of AA books from his car trunk.

  • In Alexandria, VA, the Back to Basics group donated their entire library.

“We had the largest stash of Big Books on the African continent!”All donated with love and without solicitation.

Growth of Cocktail-tales:

  • Started January 2001, with ~12 active members and more than 50 visitors since.

  • Holds weekly Wednesday meetings at the Catholic Welfare & Development center in Cape Town’s “pink triangle.”

  • Meeting thrives thanks to international support and deep local commitment.

Invitation to Visit South Africa:

  • The national South African AA Convention in Easter Weekend 2004 welcomed international guests.

  • Donations remain essential to support literature for newcomers.

  • Meeting website: http://alcoholicsanonymous.cape.org.za


💵 IAC Treasurer’s Report — Balance as of January 31, 2004


(Page 4)


Bank Reconciliation:

  • Beginning Total Balance: $9,411.01

  • Deposits: $1,755.19 + $1,159.59 + $694.11 = $13,019.89 total inflows

  • Disbursements: $(5,594.79)

  • Returned Checks: $(86.00)

  • Canadian Deposit Charges: $(10.00)**

Balance on 1/31/2004:

  • $7,324.10

Designated Funds:

  • Prudent Reserve: $4,146.09

  • World Conference Reserve: $370.00

  • Working Capital (Checking): $2,808.01


The Treasurer notes growth in both prudent and world-conference reserves, while encouraging continued contributions.


📅 Roundups 2004


(Page 4)


A large list of LGBTQ AA roundups for early–mid 2004, including:


March 2004:

April 2004:

April–May 2004:

Roundups are reminded to send updated information early.


IAC Newsletter Summary — Winter/Spring 2004 (Issue No. 52)

👉 Download the full PDF:


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