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Sober & Out is a collection of Grapevine stories written primarily by alcoholics who are lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered (LGBT) members of AA. Here, along with stories from some other AA friends, they share their experience, strength and hope in recovery, as well as their personal struggles and their hard-fought triumphs.

Getting sober for any alcoholic can be difficult and the stories in this book show that—like most alcoholics—lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender AAs struggle to fit in, to stay sober and to find peace in their lives. Yet, by working the Steps, following the Traditions, doing service and finding a Higher Power, they are now living sober in the Fellowship of AA.

Alcoholism can be a lonely business, and AA has always sought to be inclusive in its membership, keeping its doors open for alcoholics of every description. As stated in AA’s Preamble, “The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking.” And, while the LGBT members whose stories appear in this volume clearly meet that requirement, many have also faced challenges of acceptance and discrimination in getting sober. Some turned to the support, identification and understanding found in special-interest AA meetings with other LGBT members, though most have also found that attending regular meetings has helped to broaden and deepen their experience of recovery. Says one member, “When I hear the terms ‘straight AA’ or ‘gay AA,’ I cringe. There is only one AA, ‘a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism.’”

While Grapevine has long been an avenue of expression for the individual stories of AA members, many LGBT members have been hesitant to share their experience, strength and hope openly in meetings, fearing rejection or judgment. However, more often than not, these fears have been unfounded and AA’s primary purpose has shone through. As one AA explains, “When I told my sponsor I am a lesbian, she said, ‘So what? You want to get sober, don’t you?’”

Ultimately, these AAs discovered that recovery from alcoholism is more important than their sexual orientation and that by staying sober and following AA’s program of recovery, full and purposeful lives could be built, one day at a time.