LGBT People of Color (POC)

Types of AA Meetings

12 Steps & 12 Traditions: California's AA programs provide a foundation for lasting sobriety through the 12 Steps and Traditions programs. AA meetings offer a supportive community and welcome all individuals seeking recovery all while offering guidance and understanding along the way.

Big Book: California AA meetings often feature the Big Book. This text features stories about how women and men overcame alcohol use disorder and is used to inspire clients to build resilience.

Closed: Closed AA meetings in California are not open to the general public. They are reserved for members and anyone who has a desire to stop drinking. Discussions are personal in nature and related to alcohol addiction recovery.

Discussion: AA discussion meetings in California help members share their thoughts and feelings on a specific topic related to alcoholism and recovery. A pre-determined speaker will open the meeting by sharing a topic from an AA text, such as the Big Book or AA Grapevine. After discussing the topic briefly, they will open the floor for others to speak.

Fragrance Free: AA meetings that are fragrance free means that members are not allowed to wear perfumes, scented colognes or lotions, or to bring in clothing or air fresheners with fragrances. This ban is in consideration of members who may have sensitivities to artificial and chemical scents.

Gay: Gay AA chapters can consist of members who are homosexual men or are simply gay-friendly. Topics in discussion are frequently related to issues facing gay men and their recovery.

Indigenous: AA centers may host groups made up of Indigenous communities. In these meetings, Indigenous peoples may speak their native language and incorporate traditional healing practices in their recovery.

LGBTQ: Selected AA chapters focus on providing a safe space for the LGBTQ+ community, and generally welcome LGBTQ+ allies. These groups prioritize members’ recovery and sobriety within a non-heteronormative context.

Lesbian: Lesbian AA meetings are intended as safe spaces for homosexual women and their allies to meet. Discussions generally focus on issues and challenges that lesbians face in their recovery.

Literature: California literature-centric AA meetings are peer support meetings for men and women affected by alcohol addiction. These meetings follow a 12-step program and focus on the study of AA literature, including the Big Book of AA, AA workbooks, and other writings by AA co-founder Bill W and other leaders. The meetings are free to attend.

Native American: Native American AA groups generally consist of members who identify with an American Indian/Alaskan Native group, and topics reflect challenges and issues facing that group’s recovery. Meetings may be held in that group’s language and include traditional healing practices along with standard AA methods.

People of Color: People of color refers to individuals who do not identify as white/Caucasian. AA groups and meetings that are friendly to people of color provide safe spaces for ethnic minorities to meet and to discuss challenges and issues that impact their recovery.

Step Meeting: California offers step programs as part of AA services. In a step meeting, members converse their stage in the 12 Step program, connect their progress with AA texts, and map out their expected future goals throughout the 12 Step Program.

Tradition Study: Tradition Study sessions are AA reflections about the organization. Members discuss how AA chapters can be more successful in their purpose through greater unity and its outreach programs.

Transgender: Transgender AA meetings provide safe spaces for transgender individuals and their allies to meet. These groups may discuss issues and challenges related to alcohol use disorder that transgender individuals face.

Wheelchair Access: In California, AA meetings with wheelchair accessibility include designated parking spots and safety ramps. Clients can safely maneuver around the facility to participate in AA events.

Wheelchair-Accessible Bathroom: Selected AA centers offer wheelchair-accessible bathrooms for participants. These bathrooms have enough space for a wheelchair to safely navigate, and can include private stalls with guardrails, reachable toilet paper and seat cover dispensers, a wash basin, and other amenities.