.png)
Spotlight on Sobriety 06/01/2025
- Steve N.
- 4 days ago
- 9 min read
International Convention Stories
I have attended three International Conventions. Seattle in 1990, San Diego in 1995 and Atlanta in 2015. The most memorable was Seattle, First, because it was the first time my Partner and I had been on an extended vacation together. Second, because I met a man who was to be my sponsor for a number of years. But mostly because of the Convention itself. This was the first International where the Rainbow flag, along with the flags of countries that had been part of the Soviet Union were included in the Flag ceremony. Great cheers filled the Seattle Kingdome as each of those flags was recognized at the big meeting.
James R.
Atlanta, GA
My sobriety date is May 25, 1987 and my first International Convention was San Diego in 1995. I was married to another AA member at the time, but had had "the dream" the previous February. The dream where I kissed a woman I didn't know. I asked a girl from work if she'd like to fly to San Diego for a long weekend with me and she agreed.
When I arrived at our hotel, I opened the drapes and below us was the yacht club festooned with pride flags! There were my people! I spent most of the weekend in the lovely hospitality suite at the club sponsored by IAC, back in the day. I met queer folk from all over the world!
I met a fellow who, like me, was just coming out at seven years sober. "What's wrong with me? I've done inventory! I ought to have figured this out before now!" We both felt the same, but it takes what it takes. A fresh moment of clarity.
One woman from Scotland had been in love with the local librarian for twenty years and had just recently confessed her love. Her message to me was, "Don't wait, it's just like being an alcoholic, either you are or you're not."
I went home ready to make changes, fortified by the love and emotional sobriety I found through the efforts of IAC, now GaL-AA.
Love and Service to you all,
Heather N. Calgary, AB
New Orleans
I was 18 years old and 1 1/2 years sober when I went to my first international convention in New Orleans 1980. It was an amazing event and for someone newly sober, there was so much to take in. Sitting in the Super Dome with 60,000 other alcoholics, you couldn’t help but be deeply moved and grateful that you were a part of this organization. While I wasn’t completely out, I remember sneaking over to the gay meetings and events, looking in without committing to entering. I even walked down Bourbon Street to the gay quarter to see banners on gay bars saying, “Welcome Gay AA - Nonalcoholic drinks served here”.
I had the honor of being the Ohio lead. Each state gave a lead over the course of the convention and I remember standing up in front of 800 people wondering if I could one day be honest enough to tell them who I really was. 45 years later, the program has given me the most incredible and blessed life and has seen me take the journey of self-awareness and acknowledgment of who and what I truly am. And for that I’ll be eternally grateful.
Jeff T.
Cleveland, OH
I had many emotions when faced with attending my first International Convention in Atlanta in July, 2015. I had no idea what to expect. My partner and I had a small number of friends joining us, but I had never been with 45,000 sober people before.
When we walked into our hotel lobby, it was full of people. Picking up on their conversations, As I was signing in, a woman next to me said, “Hello, I am from New York; where are you from?“ I thought, oh my, she is a friendly one, and responded, "Boston." She asked me if this was my first Convention? I said “yes”. She smiled and said, “you will love it, but be careful, you can get overwhelmed.”
When we registered for the Convention itself, we saw more and more people walking around looking happy. We attended our first workshop, titled “Gays in AA”, expecting a small group and found that there were over 2,000 people attending! Some of the workshops and meetings were so full, we were unable to get in.
[Saturday] evening, we attended the big meeting in the stadium. We heard speakers from around the world. Amazing! The meeting ended with everyone reciting the Serenity Prayer. I cried through most of it, joining with all the voices in unison reciting the prayer we all know so well!
I left with a full heart knowing: yes, Hilde, you are not alone!
Hilde M.
Stoneham, MA
I was just 30 days sober into recovery, living in New York when the International A.A. Convention was held in Seattle July 1990, teetering between a pink cloud and sheer insanity. Needless to say I did not attend.
Five years later, my life was unrecognizable. I had left my job at Seagram’s, traded NYC’s subways for the freeways of Hollywood, and found a little serenity. When the next International Convention rolled around in San Diego, I was thrilled to attend. Even better, my mom, sober since 1976, was flying in from Kentucky to join me.
The opening flag ceremony blew me away: 89 countries represented, and 60,000 alcoholics reciting the Serenity Prayer in unison was electrifying. I hadn’t realized there was LGBTQ+ representation at the convention until I stumbled into the most festive hospitality suite there, hosted by IAC (now GaL-AA). That night, I found myself at the Gay Dance, surrounded by “Out and Proud” alcoholics celebrating recovery with joy and authenticity. I was deeply moved. Once again, I was reminded: I am not alone on this journey.
Since then, I’ve attended four more International Conventions and have volunteered with GaL-AA each time, making each experience even more fun. My mom still comes and she loves the dances too!
My advice? Jump in. Have fun. Embrace your tribe.
Vincent B
Palm Springs, CA
I’m an alcoholic, my sobriety date is April 21, 2005. It took me a decade to get to an International Convention. Early sobriety (first ten years!) was tough. Other than daily meetings, I wasn’t into anything AA. Forget fellowship/activities, service outside the group or roundups. I had such anxiety around others—I was a square peg in a round hole. Also, I never liked travel (flying, airport screenings, graduates of the American Academy of Travel and Tourism)—just count me out.
My first International was Atlanta in 2015. I went with my “sister in sobriety”. At 10 years sober, I figured why not? What a blast! Hot, steamy Atlanta in July. I remember the huge convention center and nearby GaL-AA hospitality suite. The flag ceremony during the big meeting in the stadium was spectacular and moving. The sessions / panels were great (the LGBTQ+ meetings were packed/standing room only. We even got a chance to visit the botanical gardens and take in a share by Clancy.
GaL-AA’s dance was truly fabulous. I vowed not to miss another International. After spending 4th of July with tens of thousands of recovering alcoholics, I left Atlanta rejuvenated with a new outlook on sobriety. I’m really looking forward to Vancouver this summer.
Mark P.
Beverly, MA
I first heard about the AA International Convention in 2004, when Toronto was announced as the 2005 host city. A few friends and I decided to make the trip from Detroit, not knowing what to expect. The excitement in the air as we arrived was electric—AA members filled the streets, and the Convention kicked off with a "Party in the Park" outside the Metro Convention Centre. I loved the IAC (now GaL-AA) events, including the over-the-top drag show and packed hospitality room. It was magical connecting with sober people from all over the world.
In 2010, my husband Tom and I drove to San Antonio early and camped with AAs and
Al-Anons. I was now part of the IAC committee and helped organize the hospitality suite and dance. The Texas groups came together beautifully, and the flag ceremony with thousands of AAs saying the Serenity Prayer brought me to tears. The IAC suite had a Texas theme with cowboy boots and maps where members could place a pin indicating where their hometowns were located. The dance was one of the most fun events I’ve ever attended—people were literally throwing money just to get in!
By 2015 in Atlanta, the IAC name officially changed to GaL-AA. Tom and I arrived early to help. The hospitality suite and dance were in the same hotel, making volunteering easy and rewarding. There was even a Miss Sobriety World pageant, and the energy that night was incredible. Atlanta raised a lot of money for GaL-AA and helped put on a stellar convention.
We were all geared up for Detroit 2020. The local and GaL-AA committees worked tirelessly raising funds and planning events—only for it to be canceled due to COVID-19. Though disappointing, all funds raised were passed along to help support GSO, the local intergroup, district, area and GaL-AA at the next convention.
Now, with Vancouver 2025 on the horizon, I can’t wait to do it all over again.
Gary C.
Royal Oak, MI
My first AA world convention was in Toronto, Canada in 2005. I still remember landing at the airport in Toronto and being greeted by AA members from the convention with smiles, hugs and handshakes. I was so surprised as I had never been to a convention where you were greeted at the airport, what a welcome surprise. When I got to the convention area, I was again taken back to see thousands of people walking around with their AA lanyards around their next necks. Suddenly AA, which I usually think of as anonymous, was now out in the open. as
We swarmed the convention area and many parts of the city.
I remember how excited I was and filled with so much joy because of how nice it was to be in a city full of AA people laughing, smiling and showing so much love and excitement.
I couldn't wait to get to the IAC (now GaL-AA) Hospitality Suite to be of service at this great event. I spent the next few days sitting and talking with old-timers from IAC (now GaL-AA) and learning so much about AA and the LGBTQ+ sober community. Volunteering in the Hospitality Suite, I was able to easily meet other LGBTQ+ sober members from all over the world and exchange stories and experiences. On Saturday night, I was going to a wonderful IAC (now GaL-AA) dance with people who were now my friends.
Going to the LGBTQ+ meetings and mainstream meetings at the Convention center was great. But nothing in the convention center meetings prepared me for my first flag ceremony the stadium with almost 50,000 people on Friday night. Being in the stadium and seeing all the flags paraded in from almost 90 countries that AA had touched was so thrilling. But the one part of the convention that I had been told about was the overwhelming ending. Holding hands and saying the Serenity prayer with over 50,000 people is something that is always emotional to me no matter how many AA world Conventions I attend. My experience with IAC was so powerful that I will be celebrating 20yrs of service with IAC/GaL-AA in less than two months.
Pierre B.
Atlanta, GA
Last chance to get merch delivered before the convention!
Whether you are going to the convention or not, please consider supporting GaL-AA by buying some merch!
Place order here
We hope to see you there!
Announcing a Contest for Stories and Pictures!
Win a GaL-AA T-Shirt
We have had recognized LGBTQ2S+ participation at AA International Conventions since 1975. As part of AA’s 90th birthday, GaL-AA wants to celebrate our contribution to the Fellowship by publishing a CONVENTION EDITION of our news articles on our website, GaL-AA.org, and our social media outlets to highlight all of GaL-AA’s activities.
We would like to give our members the opportunity to share their experiences at former International Conventions by submitting short stories (200 words or so) or photographs of previous International Conventions and roundups. We would especially like to have photographs of pioneering members of our Fellowship such as Marty M., Barry L, Nancy T. and other early members of IAC/GaL-AA. PLEASE do NOT send original photographs or videos!
If we select your submission for publication, you will receive a FREE GaL-AA T-shirt, using either the special Vancouver logo or our classic logo. Copies of photos work best in jpg, png or gif format, and videos work best in mp4 format. Send your submissions before June 22, 2025 using the “Contact Us” link at GaL-AA.org and put “Newsletter Contest” in the subject line of your email, or email the Newsletter Committee directly at newsletter@gal-aa.org.
Celebrating our members June AA Anniversaries
Anthony W - June 17, 2016
Bob S - June 22, 2017
Brian E - June 15, 2019
Candice G - June 20, 1999
Charlie L - June 24, 2023
Ernie S - June 13, 2010
Gail M - June 6, 1993
Gregory C - June 20, 1982
Karen C - June 25, 2017
Kevin C - June 8, 1996
Mandy S - June 13, 2023
Nicole G - June 11, 2024
Robert B - June 1
Tait A - June 15, 2023
Tim H - June 20, 1990
Vincent B - June 7, 1990
To add or edit your sobriety date, click on the link in the email you received from us.
