Bill Wilson, one of our co-founders, substantially wrote both Alcoholics
Anonymous and Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions.  Both books have helped countless
alcoholic women and men over the past sixty years.  Any modification to either of our two
basic books must be undertaken in a spirit of humility and only in the case of serious need.
	We have felt it necessary to revise slightly the 12 and 12  in view of the increased
membership in A.A. of people of whatever  gender who are offended, confused, or put off
by the choice of some words.  Remarkably little has been changed.  Bill Wilson was aware
that he was speaking to both women and men.  Often, he used the plural 'we' or 'they', or the
generic  pronoun 'one'.  In Step Nine, for instance, it has not been necessary to make  any
changes at all.  Occasionally, though, there is a glaring example of the common usage of
1952, when preference was automatically given to the male in any generalized reference to
individuals.  Today, practically no one would address a general audience with expressions
like, "This is the Step that separates the men from the boys."  Such turns of phrase
sometimes  needlessly hurt or alienate  new members or would-be members of our
fellowship.  This revision is an effort to overcome such difficulties and improve 
communication with anyone who wants or needs A.A.
	Every attempt has been made to avoid losing the meaning  and power of the words
that have proved essential for saving the lives of literally millions of alcoholics.  This
edition is like a translation into another language.  We have not tried to alter anyone's
political thinking;  we have endeavored only to make the language less controversial and
more easily accessible to everyone.  A.A. is not allied with any politics and does not wish
to engage in any controversy.  This is an attempt to stay out of, rather than to engage in,
any controversies that might keep people from understanding and benefiting from A.A.'s
message of hope.
	

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