New AA pamphlet includes the TQ community

[Charlize]

Several years ago TGAA was approached for some assistance from a cis man from the General Service office in NY.  They were planning the possible inclusion of Trans* folks in a pamphlet.  The old pamphlet was for Lesbian and Gay Alcoholics and we were not considered.  Several from TGAA contributed to his discussion.  I was fortunate to attend the meeting where the presentation was made.  I was able to speak as well emphasizing the difficulties many of us find in feeling accepted in AA, and life in general.   It was the largest "coming out” i have experienced.  600 or 700 hundred alcoholics representing AA were attending as i outed myself and spoke up for us.  A member of the GC committee came up to me afterwards and thanked me for putting a face on the need.  He assured me we would see some literature soon.  AA moves slowly but perhaps this was lightning speed.  
I was given a copy at a meeting on Friday.  

It is available to read by using the link below.

 

https://www.aa.org/assets/en_US/P-32_AAandtheGayLesbianAlcoholic.pdf

Hugs,

Charlize

[Jani]

This is a well written document.  Thank you Charlize for taking part in the process to have it created.  

 

Hugs,

Jani

[Briana]

Hi Charlize, thank  you so much for doing this for us. 

[Charlize]

I've been reading one story a day since i posted it here.  When i see how well i can relate to many as a trans* person it makes me feel great.  I have to love the program of AA and it's 3rd tradition:  "The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking"

 

Hugs.

 

Charlize

[VickySGV]

It is a start that we are mentioned at all.  I skimmed over it looking for the actual Trans stories and only found one( "Franny") that was directly Trans in focus, and one Queer direct focus but it is a beginning and I downloaded it in case another Trans or Queer person comes to one of my meetings.  

[Charlize]

I've been fortunate to have a hard copy to read and have found that Chris (pg. 14)MTF,

Sammy (pg.19) MTF,  Franny (pg.23) MTF,  Vincent (pg.25) Intersex,  Moriah (pg.26) FTM.

That is 5 alcoholics whose stories involved gender issues and sobriety.  There are 13 stories in the pamphlet so that is amazing to me.  When the new Grapevine publication "Sober and Out" was published i eagerly read the book and found only one FTM who mostly spoke of her homosexuality with a mention of transition at the end.  Hopefully this pamphlet will find it's way into more meetings across the country so that others with gender issues can see themselves as part of, embraced by and not unique and outside of sobriety in AA.

 

Hugs,

 

Charlize