10.2190/SH.5.4.d 2244038G74206737 4 Reflections on Researching and Writing—The History of Gay People in Alcoholics Anonymous: From the Beginning: An Experience Report 307 315 20110922 20110922 20110922 20110922 2244038G74206737.pdf http://baywood.metapress.com/link.asp?target=contribution&id=2244038G74206737 4 Audrey Borden Marin County, California A first person description of the author's experience researching and writing the book, <i>The History of Gay People in Alcoholics Anonymous: From the Beginning</i>, describes the author's background, inspiration for the project, research methods and experiences locating and interviewing sources, and the impact of the project on her life today. She addresses the role and importance of anonymity in working with interviewees and the development of the manuscript, and some of the ways anonymity both helps and hinders attempts to reduce the effects of alcoholism on society. Alcoholics Anonymous gays and lesbians history of A.A. Alcoholics Anonymous. (1953). <i>Twelve steps and twelve traditions.</i> New York: Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. Borden, A. (2007). <i>The history of gay people in Alcoholics Anonymous: From the beginning.</i> Binghamton, NY: Haworth Press. Brown, S., & Brown, D. (2001). <i>Mrs. Marty Mann: The first lady of Alcoholics Anonymous.</i> Minnesota: Hazelden. Cook, P. (2007). <i>Paying the tab: The costs and benefits of alcohol control.</i> Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press. Goffman, E. (1963). <i>Stigma: Notes on the management of spoiled identity.</i> Old Tappan, NJ: Prentice Hall. Grele, R. J. (1991). <i>Envelopes of sound: The art of oral history</i> (2nd ed.). New York: Praeger Paperback. Leach, B. (1985, June 6). <i>The gay origins of AA's Third Tradition.</i> Address presented at Minneapolis Gay & Lesbian AA Roundup, Minneapolis, MN. White, W. (1998). <i>Slaying the dragon: The history of addiction treatment and recovery in America.</i> Bloomington, IL: Chestnut Health Systems.