Finding aid of the Alcoholics Together Records

Michael C. Oliveira

ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives

909 West Adams Boulevard

Los Angeles, California 90007

Phone: (213) 741-0094

Fax: (213) 741-0220

Email: askone@onearchives.org

URL: http://www.onearchives.org

Finding aid of the Alcoholics Together Records

Collection number: Coll2008-051

ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives

Los Angeles, California

Processed by:: Sócrates Silva and Michael C. Oliveira
Date Completed:: October 31, 2008
Encoded by:: Sócrates Silva and Michael C. Oliveira

Processing this collection has been funded by a generous grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.

Descriptive Summary

Title: Alcoholics Together records

Dates: 1971-1985.

Collection number: Coll2008-051

Creator: Alcoholics Together

Collection Size: 2 archive cartons. 0.8 linear foot.

Repository: ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives.

Los Angeles, California 90007

Abstract: Building committee minutes, financial statements and related documents, Internal Revenue Service correspondence and Federal tax returns along with general correspondence, 1971-1985 of Alcoholics Together (AT), a Los Angeles gay and lesbian alcoholics meeting formed in 1969 which follows the tenets and traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), along with providing an environment affirming gay and lesbian identity.

Languages: Languages represented in the collection: English

Access

The collection is open to researchers. There are no access restrictions.

Publication Rights

Researchers wishing to publish materials must obtain permission in writing from ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives as the physical owner. Researchers must also obtain clearance from the holder(s) of any copyrights in the materials. Note that ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives can grant copyright clearance only for those materials for which we hold the copyright. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain copyright clearance for all other materials directly from the copyright holder(s).

Preferred Citation

Box #, folder #, Alcoholics Together Records, Coll2008-051, ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives, Los Angeles, California.

Acquisition Information

Method and date of acquisition unknown.

Processing Information

Formerly box 103-34. Processed by Sócrates Silva and Michael C. Oliveira, September-October 2008.

Processing this collection has been funded by a generous grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.

Administrative History

In 1969, in Los Angeles, a group of seven gay alcoholics met to establish an Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meeting that provided an environment affirming gay/lesbian identity. They attempted to have their meeting listed in the Los Angeles AA directory; however, AA would not recognize any "closed," meeting, such as a gay/lesbian only meeting. The organizers subscribed to AA tenets, traditions, and meeting format with the permission of AA, however AA requested that the meeting not use the Alcoholic Anonymous name. AA did allow the use of their materials and guidelines, only requesting a credit line on copies. The organizers subsequently chose the name "Alcoholics Together" also known as AT. In 1971, the organization opened the "AT Center" a location for meetings, AT meetings quickly expanded and unaffiliated AT meetings spread nationally. The AT Center continues to provide a variety of meetings for gays and lesbians alcoholics.

Scope and Content of Collection

The bulk of the collection consists of the Alcoholic Together (AT) building committee minutes and AT financial statements. The collection also includes the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) correspondence, AT Federal tax returns, and related information, along with a general correspondence file. The IRS correspondence includes AT’s request for tax-exempt status, their exchange of correspondence, and supporting documentation which provides information on AT and their mission. The general correspondence file includes correspondence with the Alcoholic Anonymous (AA) Central Office in New York and other miscellaneous organizational correspondence such as letters related to seventh tradition obligations. The remaining folders contain meeting directories, 1977-1981, the bylaws and related documents of AT, 1977-1985, and a check register, 1971-1974.

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.

Alcoholics--Rehabilitation--California--Los Angeles

Alcoholics Together (Los Angeles, Calif.)

Gay clubs--California--Los Angeles

Gays--Alcohol use--California--Los Angeles

Box 1 : 1-3

Building Committee minutes 1971-1984

Box 1 : 4-6

Financial statements, bills, and receipts 1978-1985

Box 2 : 1

Internal Revenue Service correspondence 1972-1983

Box 2 : 2

AT Federal tax returns 1972-1985

Box 2 : 3

General correspondence 1972-1985

Box 2 : 4

AT meeting directories 1977-1981

Box 2 : 5

Bylaws, organizational structure, new officers instructions 1977-1985

Box 2 : 6

Check register and receipts 1971-1984