I was a member of 12 step groups for over 25 years. While membership felt like a kind of sanctuary, I faced a lot of conflicts, and bullying as a member. As a member I was faced with many a sexuals, and phobes who had a strict orthodox catholic view point about the way they felt people should be. I was burned out by AA and lost my apartment, and my inventory was stolen. I was in Transitional and supportive housing program for seventeen years sober, I had to watch and defend myself against bullies everyday. It seems like with the 12 steps the mind trips never end. They say you shouldn't be that way, that is an Oedipal Complex, and that is Narcissism, when my inventory was stolen, I was faced with a lot of passive aggression, people who dropped out, and bullied those they felt they could. I am glad it's over. While AA seems liberal, I found it to be neo conservative. There is a great need to feel a sense of self and belonging, maybe this year I found my safe haven, having finally moved away from every single member of every single group. I supose I can let bygones be bygones, and really bless myself for having found a transgender niche in the LGBTQI community