A call for trans* participation in AA pamphlet information

[Charlize]

AA is planning a new pamphlet for the gay and lesbian alcoholic that will also include a section for the trans* alcoholic! This seems such a great leap forward for all of us including the cis people in the rooms who may better understand us.

I would hope that it might make it easier for trans* alcoholics to find sobriety and comfort in the rooms. This morning i received a request for stories and information from Gregg(an alcoholic) who did a presentation at our local NERASSA convention (AA service). I shared there as well in support of this pamphlet. It seems that it is going to happen. Now they are requesting the help of our community to contribute our experience , strength and hope.

I just want to pass that on for others here. I plan to help in any way i can.

Below is a copy of the information i received this morning.

Thanks and hugs,

Charlize, an alcoholic

Subject:

IMPORTANT: Call For Sharing

Good morning,
First I'd like to thank Lester for his report at the ACM during Alternate's month last Sunday. One of the items he reported on was a 'call for sharing' from the Trustees Literature Committee as a result of work done at the 65th General Service Conference.

I served on the Literature Committee and will be chairing the committee during next year's Conference so I am very excited to see what the fellowship returns to us.

As reported during our Post-Conference, we will be developing or updating 3 very important pieces of literature:

1. A.A. for the Woman pamphlet - complete update with a special interest to include stories from women in the military, single mothers, and women of diverse background
2. A.A. for Gay and Lesbian Alcoholic pamphlet - complete update to include expanded experience especially from bisexual, transgendered, and gender non-conforming alcoholics.
3. A.A. for Alcoholic with Mental Health Issues - this is new literature being developed so we are looking for a wide range of A.A. recovery experience from members with mental health issues and those who sponsor such members.

This is a call for sharing from our membership - this is how our pamphlets and literature are updated - through us. Please share this with your districts, groups and meetings and encourage ALL to participate.

Information is attached and if you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact me .

With AA Love and Service,
Jay

Jay Eckstein
Delegate Panel 65, Area 44 Northern NJ
201-289-1440

[VickySGV]

This might be something to talk about in our Sunday Chats here. I have not seen anything here about this in my area, but I have a feeling that out here ONLY the G or L meetings will catch this, if we get it at all.

[Guest]

That is very interesting. I wish I had a way to convey certain let's say "pet peeves" without it sounding like my own little sounding board. That and I wouldn't want to offend other LGBT members.

I preface I am intersexed so any sexual relationship other than with an intersexed person makes me fall under the LGBTQ umbrella.

I realize the part of sex being our behaviors that needs to be addressed in our recovery. The standard cis conception that sex is related to our gender is so erroneous. Sex and gender are Lightyears apart. They just seem to refuse to stop making that assumption. We just want to be perceived in our own presented (for lack of a better word) gender. That aligns with who we are.

The stellar cis misconception in my life is being compared to a gay man. Therefore showing they perceive me as something male. "Oh I relate and empathize with you, my brother, uncle, cousin, etc came put as gay and I still love him." that gender statement is so offending to me.

Why am I not compared to the lesbians in their life? Or a heterosexual woman in their life? Both would be much closer to the truth.

Oh, I'm supposed to compensate for their ignorance? How would they feel if they said "I have brown eyes", it is plain to see that they do. Then I sit and tell them all the stories of all the blue eyed people I know, to show them I understand what having brown eyes is like. They would not feel consoled or understood, wondering what planet I was from.

My daughter was actually born with blue eyes and in about a month they did turn brown. I know this medical condition exists. I see her brown eyes yet never from a perception of them ever being blue. Why is my condition so much different.

So many times I feel hurt, yet I have to suck up the pain as they just don't get it. It's not rocket science! I'm not a gay man! I'm a woman, complete with female, brains, secondary sexual characteristics and body parts. Dah!

I have only been approached by two transmen in the program to work with them. To some extent I do. But a few things are fundamental. I as woman, can't be a sponsor for them as male. They can't attend a women's meeting and I can't attend a men's meeting. Their fear and ambivalence may be perpetuated by these cis misconceptions. It would be a shame for us to loose a sober member due to cis members refusing to see them as the men that they are. Hug. JodyAnn

[Guest Raya]

Vicky, that does sound like a great topic. I need to try the chat from a real computer.

[Charlize]

I am unable to attach the call for contributions from the AA national literature committee. If any one is interested in sending in a contribution of 500-800 words please PM me you e-mail and i'll try to forward the attachment. Sorry but i can't get it here but i'll keep trying.

Hugs,

Charlize

[Charlize]

Here is the text that i typed out since i couldn't get it to cut and paste:

“ The trustee’s Literature Committee is seeking stories from AA members who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered or gender nonconforming, especially regarding being a newcomer and sponsorship. This request is in response to the 2015 General Service Conference recommendation that the pamphlet “A>A> and the Gay/Lesbian Alcoholic” be revised to include a wider range of AA recovery experience. The title of the pamphlet will also be revised to reflect this broader scope.
In 2014 the trustee’s literature committee requested that, whenever gathering sharing, consideration be given to stories from disabled verbenas and from non-believers.
Manuscripts should be 500-800 words, double spaced, in a 12point font. Please include your complete name, address and email/phone information. The anonymity of all authors will be observed, whether or not their story is selected for publication. Please email your sharing to: [email protected] and put “A>A> and the Gay/Lesbian Alcoholic” in there subject line of the message. or you may mail it to: Literature Coordinator; General Service Office: Box 459: Grand Central Station, NY< NY. 10163. The deadline for submissions is October 15, 2015"

Hugs,

Charlize, an alcoholic