Great post. 69M, sober 35 years. Finding accepting meetings can be hard anywhere. I’m in Western NY and we’ve had a Safety Committee for about 5 years now. They help Groups with safety inventories and provide a resource for LBGTQ+ members. It’s AA, so they don’t “enforce” anything, but we think just making the issue visible helps.
Jasmine's experience highlights something that doesn't get talked about enough in the recovery community — that a safe space for one person isn't necessarily safe for another. Showing up to a meeting and feeling like you need to perform socially just to stay safe — that's the exact opposite of what recovery is supposed to be. I live in the Czech Republic, where drinking is so normalized that just saying "I don't drink" sets you apart from the entire culture. It's not the same as being trans in a conservative AA room, but that feeling — being the only different one in the room — I know it. Thank you for sharing Jasmine's story. We need more voices like hers.
Man, I thought that was such a goofy little platitude at first. Then I realized I was living my own version of it and seeing it and trying to reinforce that freedom in others.
The big paradox: wish i hadn't needed to learn this stuff but damn glad I learned this stuff.
Great post. 69M, sober 35 years. Finding accepting meetings can be hard anywhere. I’m in Western NY and we’ve had a Safety Committee for about 5 years now. They help Groups with safety inventories and provide a resource for LBGTQ+ members. It’s AA, so they don’t “enforce” anything, but we think just making the issue visible helps.
That’s awesome! I bet it does.
Jasmine's experience highlights something that doesn't get talked about enough in the recovery community — that a safe space for one person isn't necessarily safe for another. Showing up to a meeting and feeling like you need to perform socially just to stay safe — that's the exact opposite of what recovery is supposed to be. I live in the Czech Republic, where drinking is so normalized that just saying "I don't drink" sets you apart from the entire culture. It's not the same as being trans in a conservative AA room, but that feeling — being the only different one in the room — I know it. Thank you for sharing Jasmine's story. We need more voices like hers.
thank you for such a thoughtful comment, Petr; I agree!
Enjoyed this. I got sober in Oakland as well, circa 2012.
Many pathways to recovery.
Man, I thought that was such a goofy little platitude at first. Then I realized I was living my own version of it and seeing it and trying to reinforce that freedom in others.
The big paradox: wish i hadn't needed to learn this stuff but damn glad I learned this stuff.
Always great to read your stuff, Katie.