10/06/2026
Hello everyone,
π» The webinar on the Safety and Belonging project addressing gendered language in our literature went well. We were delighted to have so many participants and tried to answer everyoneβs questions about the project and the suggested revision of IP #1. The recording of that webinar and its accompanying PowerPoint are now posted at na.org/webinar. Check it out!
In that webinar, we made reference to a couple of historical pieces: the 1981 style sheet from the early work creating our Basic Text, and a 1989 report from the World Literature Committee on gendered language, written at a time when motions on the subject were being considered by the World Service Conference. Weβve posted both of those on the project page. Scroll to the bottom, and look in the Additional Historical Background section.
π If youβre interested in this project, the project page (na.org/genderproject) is a good place to start understanding where this came fromβand where it might be going. Nothing in NA service happens by magic or by decree. All decisions about the content of NA literature are made by the Fellowship as a whole through the ππ°π―π§π¦π³π¦π―π€π¦ ππ¨π¦π―π₯π’ ππ¦π±π°π³π΅, so there is plenty of time to make sure you understand and that your voice is heard. Please take time to learn about this project and share with others what you learn.
π After the webinar, one member shared with us that βI believe the core of using gender-neutral language is to deepen our relationship with anonymity.β Weβre thinking about this principled perspective today: The idea that anonymity can extend to all the ways we think about ourselves and our identity might just open a new door into safety and belonging for many more of us than we imagine.
Please keep sharing your thoughts and ideas with us. Weβre reading and taking them seriously. If you are interested in being more involved with this and other projects this cycle, sign up to be considered for future focus groups and other opportunities to serve.
Thanks so much! We are grateful for your interest and your input. na.org/get-involved
In loving service,
Your World Board
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