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IAC Newsletter – Summer/Fall 1996

  • Steve N.
  • Nov 15
  • 3 min read

IAC Newsletter – Summer/Fall 1996

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


IAC Logo: IAC Newsletter – Summer/Fall 1996

The Summer/Fall 1996 issue of IACTIVITY is one of the most substantial and historically rich newsletters from the early IAC era. It includes powerful personal recovery stories, deep AA historical reflections, LGBTQ+ roundup information, and important service updates from the IAC Executive Committee.


The issue opens with “Please Help Me!” — a moving personal story by Hilda C., IAC Deputy Chair, who shares her journey from trauma, abuse, addiction, and suicidal despair into a life shaped by sobriety, service, spiritual surrender, and deep gratitude. Her message sets the tone for the entire issue, emphasizing courage, recovery, and joyful service.


Hilda also shares a bold vision:

🌈 A Dream of an International Gay & Lesbian AA Conference

She invites the fellowship to imagine—perhaps for the first time—a fully LGBTQ+ International AA Conference. She encourages members to share ideas and test whether this dream could one day become reality.


🏳️‍🌈 IAC Council Meeting – Philadelphia 1996

The next IAC meeting was scheduled for the Freedom Roundup, October 25–27, 1996, in Philadelphia. All members were invited to attend and participate.


🌟 Featured Articles & Service Content


Suggested Meeting Topic: “Why Am I at an AA Meeting?”


By David B., IAC ChairA thoughtful reflection on silence at meetings, listening to a Higher Power, and discovering deeper reasons for showing up. David encourages groups to consider this as a meeting topic.


💛 Special Thanks to Volunteers

IAC recognizes Newsletter Editor Gary W. and printing/distribution volunteer Ken L. for their hard work carrying IACTIVITY to LGBTQ+ AA members around the world.


🏳️‍🌈 IAC Service Opportunities

Members are encouraged to participate by:

  • Becoming a group, city, or state representative

  • Submitting articles or group histories

  • Staffing IAC tables at roundups

  • Writing to loners

  • Contributing $1 per sober year

  • Donating speaker tapes to the IAC Tape Library


📚 Directory Committee Update

IAC publishes the International Directory of AA Meetings for Gay & Lesbian Members, updated every two years. A new committee has been formed to:

  • Improve accuracy

  • Reduce production costs

  • Simplify distribution

  • Modernize update processes

Chair: Reilly K. Committee Member: Hilda C. One additional member was still needed.

The 1995–1996 directory remained available for a $5 donation.


🌍 Regional Representatives & Contact Network


The newsletter lists dozens of IAC regional reps across the U.S. and Canada — plus a Tape Librarian, Roundup Liaison, and mail coordinator — showing how widespread LGBTQ+ AA service already was by 1996.


🎉 Extensive LGBTQ+ Roundup Listings (1996–1997)


The issue includes a multi-page roundup calendar featuring more than 40 LGBTQ+ recovery events across:

  • U.S. states

  • Canada

  • London

  • Germany

  • Hawaii

  • Provincetown

  • Oklahoma

  • Reno

  • Los Angeles

  • Toronto

  • Calgary

  • And many more


This is one of the earliest surviving LGBTQ+-specific roundup directories in AA history.


🕊 AA & LGBTQ+ History Features


20 Years of Living Sober — San Francisco


A landmark historical article celebrating the origins of the 1976 Living Sober Conference, the first LGBTQ+ AA conference in the world. Highlights include:


  • The founding group at Miz Brown’s coffee shop

  • Early gatherings at SF State University

  • Growth to more than 5,200 attendees by 1989

  • The spirit of fellowship, accessibility, and community that shaped all future LGBTQ+ roundups


Lambda in History — Beaumont, Texas


A detailed history of Lambda AA Beaumont, founded in 1984 — notable for having “founding mothers” and for its strong commitment to open meetings where all are welcome.


📖 Tradition Nine Reflection


A thoughtful essay by Reilly K. explaining how IAC embodies the spirit of the Ninth Tradition — a voluntary, rotating service board directly responsible to the LGBTQ+ AA members it serves.


✉️ Elections for 1997 IAC Board


Nominations were opened for:

  • Deputy Chair

  • Secretary

  • Treasurer


Elections would be held at the Spring 1997 Council Meeting. IAC covers travel for these positions to ensure financial circumstances never prevent someone from serving.


IAC Newsletter – Summer/Fall 1996

👉 Download the full PDF:


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