(by Christopher Hodapp, Freemasons for Dummies, March 25, 2023)
The Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Texas AF&AM, MW G. Clay Smith, has just rendered an official decision (Grand Master’s Decision No. 1) concerning transgenderism within his jurisdiction.
He was asked if the Constitution and Laws of the Grand Lodge of Texas allow biological women whose gender identity or gender expression is now male to become Masons. The short answer is no. The Constitution of the Grand Lodge of Texas is silent on the subject, and so he falls back on the Ancient Charges to render a decision.
His complete ruling can be seen below, but to paraphrase the meat of his answer:
A biological woman (“an individual who was assigned female at birth”) cannot be a Texas Mason.
A transgender man (“an individual who was assigned female at birth whose gender identity or gender expression is now male”) cannot be a Texas Mason.
A transgender woman (“an individual who was assigned male at birth whose gender identity or gender expression is now female”) cannot be a Texas Mason.
Citing the male-only origins of the fraternity as found in Article III, Section 3 of the Ancient Charges as published by Dr. James Anderson in his 1723 Constitutions, he says…
read more:
His complete ruling can be seen below, but to paraphrase the meat of his answer:
A biological woman (“an individual who was assigned female at birth”) cannot be a Texas Mason.
A transgender man (“an individual who was assigned female at birth whose gender identity or gender expression is now male”) cannot be a Texas Mason.
A transgender woman (“an individual who was assigned male at birth whose gender identity or gender expression is now female”) cannot be a Texas Mason.
Citing the male-only origins of the fraternity as found in Article III, Section 3 of the Ancient Charges as published by Dr. James Anderson in his 1723 Constitutions, he says…
read more:
