FAQ

FAQs

What is SoberPride?

SoberPride is an open, international AA convention hosted by Gay-AA in Stockholm. SoberPride is scheduled to coincide, but is not affiliated, with EuroPride. SoberPride includes main speaker meetings as well as a variety of workshop/topic meetings.

Is SoberPride affiliated with EuroPride?

No. SoberPride is completely separate from EuroPride; it is only scheduled at the same time.

Why schedule SoberPride at the same time as EuroPride?

It is fun to have meetings together and meet other sober people from around the world. SoberPride is not only for everyone coming to EuroPride who wants to stay connected with AA, but also for everyone interested in living sober. SoberPride is for everyone who absolutely insists on enjoying Pride (and everything in life) sober!

Is SoberPride just for Gays, Lesbians and/or Transpersons?

Everyone is welcome at SoberPride: gay, lesbian, trans, straight, bisexual, queer… The “Gay AA Lost & Found” group puts on SoberPride, and the meetings and workshops are lead by sober people who identify as gay, lesbian or bisexual. Alcoholics Anonymous does not discriminate on any level. Our common welfare comes first; personal recovery depends on AA unity.

Is SoberPride affiliated with the church?

No. SoberPride has rented available space at the Högalidskyrkan location, but is not affiliated in any manner with the church. AA groups are not affiliated with any outside organization, institution or religion.

What are the meetings like?

The four main speaker meetings feature an alcoholic who shares his/her experience, strength and hope, sharing in a general way what it was like, what happened, and what it is like now. Each speaker shares their own personal story as it relates to their recovery from alcoholism.

Who are these speakers?

Thursday, 31 July, Anna W. from Stockholm, Sweden with the theme “Burst Into Merriment!” Anna is a lesbian who got sober in Stockholm and has been sober over nine years (since she was 28).

Friday, 1 August, Robert K. from Los Angeles, USA with the theme “Indispensable: Willingness, Honesty and Open Mindedness.” Robert has been sober since before his 25th birthday – sober over 27 years now – and came out of the closet a gay man when he was five years sober.

Saturday, 2 August, speakers to be announced, with the theme “The Road of Happy Destiny.”

And, Sunday, 3 August, Doug G. from Yokohama, Japan with the theme “All the Promises.” Doug learned to drink in earnest in the gay bars of Tokyo, but got sober over 20 years ago (at the age of 24) at a rehab in New Jersey, USA. His career and sobriety have taken him repeatedly back and forth between the States and Japan, where he currently lives.

Are these speakers some authority then?

No. In AA there are no governors or presidents. These speakers are simply people in AA who were selected by the SoberPride organizers because of their long-term sobriety and interesting personal stories. As you can see they come from all over the world, as do the people organizing SoberPride and those speaking at the workshops.

All over the world? Really?

People participating in SoberPride come from many different countries including Canada, USA, France, Australia, Japan, Finland, Brazil, as well as many cities in Sweden.

What are workshops?

Workshops are topic meetings. Two people will lead the workshop, sharing about their experience regarding that workshop’s topic. Then the meeting will open up to participation from anyone who chooses to share on the topic.

Are the meetings in English or Swedish or…?

In consideration for people coming from all around the world for SoberPride, all the meetings and workshops are in English. However, people are welcome to participate in whatever language the wish. There will be one meeting in Swedish, at 18.00 on Saturday, which is the regularly scheduled “Gay-AA Lost & Found” meeting. But, again, anyone attending is welcome to share in English, Swedish or any language they are comfortable.

Can anyone share in the meetings and workshops?

Everyone is welcome to attend. The four main speaker meetings are personal stories from the speakers, so there will not be open sharing. Open participation is welcome and encouraged in the workshops. However, in adherence to the AA tradition of singleness of purpose, sharing in the workshops is limited to alcoholics.

What if I am not an alcoholic, but I want to come to SoberPride?

You are absolutely welcome to come and listen and enjoy the fellowship at SoberPride.

What about “closed” workshops?

Three of the workshops in SoberPride are limited to persons of a specific group:

The women’s workshop is for women only, and the men’s workshop is for men only. AA has long had the tradition of offering gender specific meetings for people who would not otherwise be comfortable enough to attend AA and recover from alcoholism.

Also, there is a workshop called “HIV+ in Recovery” that is for HIV+ people. Some people may not feel safe talking about being HIV+ in a mixed setting and as such we ask that their privacy be respected and only people who are HIV+ attend this workshop.

What does AA or SoberPride cost?

The tradition of AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) is to be self-supporting. This means people at AA meetings contribute what they can in order to pay for the cost of having that meeting. There are no dues or fees for AA membership.

SoberPride is unique from an AA meeting in that SoberPride is a convention. As such there are extra expenses not customary in an AA meeting. Many conventions will have a fee or ticket cost, however SoberPride does not. Instead we suggest people attending make a donation toward the cost of the convention that is estimated at 60kr per person. Nobody is required to make a donation to attend SoberPride. Those who are able are welcome to contribute above the 60kr to cover the cost of those who cannot afford it financially. Everyone is welcome, regardless of his or her ability to contribute.

Are there other addictions or programs besides alcoholism and AA at SoberPride?

Yes. Check the Program schedule online for outside meeting types and times.

Why do you call them “outside” meeting types?

Alcoholics Anonymous has the tradition of being specifically for the alcoholic and autonomous as a program. People who have problems other than alcohol are welcome to look into 12-step programs specifically dealing with their issue. We do not think of AA as the solution for everything, it works because it is one alcoholic talking to another alcoholic.
SoberPride was put together and is hosted by an AA group, and in such SoberPride addresses alcoholism. Other 12-step programs are having meetings in the same location and during the time of SoberPride, but those meetings are autonomous to that specific program. The members of that group have put their meeting together themselves, without interference from SoberPride, and they are not affiliated with SoberPride or AA.

We are happy that there are other programs for those who seek them. If you need a 12-step program other than AA and do not know where to turn, ask us and we will help you with contact information.

Outside groups are listed in the SoberPride program schedule for information only.

Does SoberPride object to alcohol at EuroPride?

We have no opinion on that, as it is an outside issue. AA is not affiliated with any outside enterprise and does not get involved in matters of politics or religion. If someone can drink like a normal person, our hat is off to them. AA is for anyone who has a desire to stop drinking.

Where do I get more information on AA?

www.aa.se for information on Alcoholics Anonymous in Sweden. You may also call 08 720-3842 between 11.00-13.00 and 18.00-20.00 to speak with someone; at all other times leave a message and your call will be returned.

www.aa.org for Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, based in New York.

What happens after SoberPride?

In Stockholm, Sweden, you are most welcome to attend the AA meetings of the Gay-AA Lost & Found group. They meet every Thursday at 19.00 and Saturday at 18.00 at IOGT-NGO, Ringvägen 74, Södermalm (T-Skanstull). While the Lost & Found Group is the only officially designated Gay/Lesbian (glbt/hbt) AA meeting in Stockholm, AA in Sweden does not discriminate against anyone. Our common welfare comes first; personal recovery depends upon AA unity.

For information on meetings in other cities around the world, check out the www.aa.org website.

Is “Gay-AA Lost & Found” group affiliated with IOGT-NGO?

No. The group only meets at that location. AA groups are not affiliated with any outside organization, institution or religion.

photos:stockholmpride.org