Spotlight On Sobriety July 2026
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From Fear to Freedom
I don’t remember my sobriety date (May 22, 2007) as clearly as I might like, but I remember the feeling that brought me to recovery: the exhaustion of being fed up with my life, my choices and the endless cycle of hiding. That feeling is what finally pushed me toward change. It was the moment I realized I couldn’t keep living behind masks of my own making.
From childhood, hiding was how I survived. I grew up feeling different, disconnected and ashamed of feelings I was told I shouldn’t have. When my peers discovered those feelings in fifth grade, the bullying began, and I learned to bury myself even deeper. I hid behind food, behind alcohol, behind relationships, and eventually behind marriage. Each layer of concealment was meant to protect me, but each one only isolated me further. What I thought was armor was really a cage.
Alcohol became my most reliable disguise. I started bartending as a kid, tasting every drink I served. I loved the feeling of numbing out. By college I was drinking to fit in and not be found out. Drinking gave me a mask. It let me pretend I fit in, even when I felt like an outsider in every room I walked into. Later, I hid behind a marriage I knew wouldn’t last, and then behind a long-term relationship that was more about appearances than love. I kept hoping each new layer of hiding would finally make me feel safe, but it never did.
The weekend of May 19, 2007, became my breaking point. I woke up after mixing pills and bourbon, grateful to still be alive, and finally saw that I couldn’t keep hiding. I was exhausted by my own life. A friend pointed me toward AA, and even then, I resisted. I tried to do sobriety my way, without fellowship, without guidance, and without surrender. I thought I could outthink addiction, manage it or negotiate with it. All that did was leave me miserable and more alone than ever.
Everything shifted when I walked into the Galano Club in Atlanta, a place where I didn’t have to hide my sexuality or my addiction. For the first time, I could focus on recovery without pretending to be someone I wasn’t. I didn’t have to straighten my voice, edit my story or shrink myself to fit in. Listening to others share honestly, I realized I wasn’t alone. Their stories cracked something open in me. I saw pieces of myself in their pain and in their hope.
Recovery gave me more than sobriety, it gave me honesty. Through the steps, I told my secrets, made amends, and began to live openly. I learned that honesty isn’t a single moment; it’s a practice. My instincts may still nudge me toward hiding, but today I have tools to pause, reflect, and choose differently. I can ask for help. I can tell the truth. I can let people see me, even when it feels uncomfortable.
I don’t live in the shadows anymore. I have a sponsor, sponsees, a home group, and a fellowship that loves me exactly as I am, not the version I used to perform, but the person I actually am. I came to AA because of my drinking problem, but I stayed because of my thinking problem. The program didn’t just help me put down the drink; it helped me step out from behind the walls I’d built over a lifetime.
And the truth is, recovery isn’t just about not drinking. It’s about learning to live without hiding. It’s about showing up fully, letting myself be known, and discovering the freedom that comes from finally being seen.
Jim D.
Atlanta, GA
Message from the Chair
Summer Has Arrived!
(AI generated image, no real people featured)
GaL-AA is continuing to improve its ability to reach out and share experience, strength and hope with all members of the LGBTQ+ Alcoholics Anonymous community. We are also continuing to refine our organization. With these goals in mind, we are announcing the formation of our Communications Committee, which is a merger of the Outreach, Newsletter, and Marketing Committees. Anil P., our Deputy Chair, will serve as Coordinator with Steve N. as Marketing Liaison and Chris B. as Outreach Liaison. James R. will continue to serve as Newsletter Coordinator.
Planning is well under way for our annual in-person meeting, scheduled for this July 9th
through 12th. We are happy to be returning to a GaL-AA tradition of holding this meeting in conjunction with a LGBTQ+ AA roundup. This year, we are particularly pleased to be gathering in San Francisco alongside the Western Roundup Living Sober, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary. This event started in June, 1976 in the Student Union Building of San Francisco State University and holds the distinction of being the first openly gay roundup in the country. GaL-AA is planning a workshop for the roundup. This will be a Jeopardy-style game on AA History with two teams answering the clues. A number of commemorative and promotional items have also been approved including bookmarks, business cards and t-shirts for the roundup. This month’s edition of Spotlight On Sobriety includes more detailed information on the roundup schedule and locations.
Moving forward, the Communications Committee is developing plans to re-establish a former volunteer position that was important in the early days of GaL-AA, that of Regional Representative, now being called a Delegate, to foster connections with groups and individuals in cities and rural areas. We will be developing welcome packets containing relevant materials and gathering contact information from interested individuals at the Western Roundup Living Sober.
As you can see, the Communications Committee is off to a running start, matching the activity levels of all our committees. We are currently seeking volunteers to work with each committee along with Pierre B. who is continuing to serve as our Liaison with GSO, and Vincent B. and Randy E. who are working with the Newsletter Committee., We hope to welcome more. This growth is bringing forth new ideas, which are providing GaL-AA with an even broader perspective of our world and purpose.
Many individuals are inquiring about the next International convention, which is scheduled for 2030 in St. Louis. We are already beginning to plan for it, as organizing GaL-AA’s participation in a successful convention of this size and scope requires a significant amount of time. As always, please remember to Stay Sober and if you’re not already, consider becoming a member! (Join)
Sincerely,
Hilde
Quarterly Financial Update
Quarterly Contributions
GaL-AA’s Treasurer reports are published monthly as part of our commitment to financial transparency, offering members insight into how your support helps us continue to carry the message.
You can view those on our website:https://www.gal-aa.org/treasurer-reports
To sign up to be a supporting member, visit our members page:https://www.gal-aa.org/members
Quarterly, we publish groups and individuals that contributed during the past quarter. We thank them for their continued support!
Quarterly Contributions
Pending
Voices of Sobriety
GaL-AA is excited to introduce a new monthly feature in Spotlight On Sobriety called Voices of Sobriety.
One of the greatest strengths of Alcoholics Anonymous is the collective experience of its members. Every day, newcomers and long-time members alike face questions, challenges, and situations that can seem overwhelming when faced alone. Yet, within our fellowship are countless stories, insights, and lessons learned that can help light the way.
Each month, the Newsletter Committee will present a sobriety-related question or situation that reflects the unique experiences of LGBTQ+ people in recovery. Readers will be invited to share their thoughts, experience, strength, and hope through a simple online form. Responses will be limited to approximately 200 words, making it easy for members to participate regardless of writing experience.
Selected responses may be featured in future editions of Spotlight On Sobriety, allowing our members to learn from one another and hear a variety of perspectives on common recovery topics.
In addition to responding to the monthly question, members will also have the opportunity to submit ideas for future topics. Have you faced a recovery challenge that you think others could benefit from discussing? Have a question you wish someone had answered when you were new? We want to hear from you.
As a small token of appreciation, members whose responses or suggested questions are selected for publication will receive a GaL-AA bookmark.
The goal of Voices of Sobriety is simple: to create another way for our fellowship to connect, share, and support one another. Whether you are celebrating decades of sobriety or counting your first days, your voice matters, and your experience may be exactly what someone else needs to hear.
We look forward to hearing from you in the first edition of Voices of Sobriety.
Our first question we would like to have our membership answer:
I want to celebrate PRIDE with friends. Any tips on having fun while maintaining my sobriety?
Western Roundup Living Sober - July 10 to 12th 2026
Schedule of events: https://livingsober.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Image.jpg
Latest Newsletter From Living Sober - June 2026Click Here
((Breaking news))
GaL-AA will be holding a workshop at this event. It will be held at the Castro Theater, Saturday, July 11th at 4:00 PM, check your event schedule for more details. Come out and see us and meet the GaL-AA Executive Committee.
A VISION FOR YOU
In 1976, something remarkable began. Living Sober was founded in San Francisco as the first AA conference created for LGBTQIA+ alcoholics. It inspired attendees from across the country to return home and start gatherings of their own and serve as somewhat the spiritual ancestor of LGBTQIA+ conferences, roundups and retreats. Fifty years later, this trailblazing conference is still thriving—alive with new energy, connection and recovery.
Living Sober has long been a cornerstone of the Bay Area’s queer AA community. Its impact deserves to be honored, preserved and celebrated. LGBTQIA+ people continue to face both personal and systemic challenges, and this conference remains a powerful symbol of recovery, strength and pride.
For the 50th Anniversary in 2026, to celebrate this remarkable history, we’re bringing Living Sober to the Castro Cultural District, one of the nation’s first gay neighborhoods.
Why are we moving Living Sober to the Castro?
There are (3) big reasons why we think the Castro is the perfect home for Living Sober:
Bringing the conference to the heart of our community
While LGBTQIA+ recovery happens all over San Francisco, the Castro has always been at the center of it all. It only makes sense for Living Sober to be there too.
Showcasing what makes San Francisco special
We want to create a conference experience that’s worth the trip—especially for those visiting from out of town. Holding it in the Castro, right after SF Pride, lets us highlight what makes recovery here so unique and magical.
Carrying the message
We know that not everyone struggling with alcohol knows where to find us. By being present in the Castro, we make recovery more visible, reaching alcoholics who might not have found us otherwise.
WHERE TO FIND THE ACTION
All spaces where our events and workshops will be held for the weekend are within 2 blocks of each other in the heart of The Castro District, including:
Castro Theatre
Celebrating 50 years of Living Sober at one of San Francisco’s most beloved landmarks
Castro Country Club
Where LGBTQ+ recovery and fellowship have found a home for decades
Queer AF (Harvey Milk’s Former Camera Store)
Located in Harvey Milk’s former camera store, a landmark of LGBTQ+ history where community, connection, and pride continue to thrive
Most Holy Redeemer Church
For generations, a home to recovery meetings in the Castro, offering a space grounded in reflection, healing, and community
Eureka Valley Recreation Center
One of the Castro’s longstanding homes for recovery meetings, where community, fellowship, and new beginnings come together
Schedule of events: https://livingsober.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Image.jpg
Members July AA Anniversaries
To add or edit your sobriety date, click on the link in the email you received from us. It is in the footer of the email where it says “Update your email preferences & frequency”. If you are not an email registered member yet, please click here to sign up.
Spotlight On Sobriety July 2026
The Spotlight On Sobriety July 2026 features personal stories, articles, and reflections submitted by members and friends of the fellowship. The views expressed are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily represent those of Alcoholics Anonymous or GaL-AA.
Statement of Inclusion
GaL-AA exists to serve lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgender people, queers and others in Alcoholics Anonymous regardless of how they self-identify. GaL-AA embraces all members of the AA Fellowship.
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