Outside issue?

[Charlize]

The other evening at a TGAA meeting a speaker shared that they found it difficult to attend in person meetings as they were sometimes told that they should not bring "outside matters" into a meeting of AA.  I have heard the same before, often from conservative parts of the country where simply being transgender is difficult at best and is somehow seen as a political statement.  Appearing as myself is not political.  Being trans is a deeply internal issue and one that unfortunately often leads to addiction to alcohol or other substances.  Fortunately AA has a 7th Tradition which states that the only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking.  It is also fortunate that we have rooms like TGAA and others where we can share our experience, strength and hope with those who understand and can see beyond ideologies.

If you are having issues with substance abuse please join us.  You will be welcome!

 

Hugs,

 

Charlize

[VickySGV]

Online AA / NA /*A Rooms / Meetings have been a huge benefit for LGBTQ people in recent times and have been life saving for people I know.  An LGBTQ Center where I am a Board Member has had *A meetings for all addiction issues that follows the 12 Step principals although not with the rigidity that some groups require just so that the specific issues of the communities can find a place at the table.  Being LGBT does place unique pressures on recovery since it is still a taboo (not political) subject in many lives of other addicts.    

[Delcina B]

It is sad, even tragic when this happens, it doesn't happen everywhere. If I remember the story, she even had an advocate, who told the obstinate person to be quiet, she belonged here. The original long form of the third tradition goes even further, saying "...we may refuse none who wish to recover..." We don't fit everyone's ideal of social norms. I do enjoy being with other transgender alcoholics, people I am most comfortable with, kind of like cis women like women's & men stag meetings, but none should ever be turned away if they have the desire to stop. Someday I hope we can traverse wherever we chose & be accepted, be it an AA meeting, a bathroom or wherever.

[VickySGV]

I do have a slight element of sympathy for some 40 year folks, but getting persnickety about the Traditions is a bit far out.  I have led / been a speaker at a couple of meetings where things got funny to me.  I did introduce myself as Trans, and immediately almost every male hand was in their laps protecting their crotches, and I had to tell them I considered conversation about surgery to be off the table. I got a couple of guilty looks from the group members and I had to keep from laughing.  It turned into quite a good meetings since they came to realize the part that social stigma played in my addiction.  

[Delcina B]

Funny!

[Charlize]

I was once told that when the men in the room start to cross their legs in self protection i've shared too much.  That same group was a LG meeting but by group conscious became LGBTQ.  

 

Hugs,

 

Charlize