I know the Masons are all men, but why don’t you let women join?

Hi, Laura-

Thanks for the question and your interest in Freemasonry.

It is true that women may not join a lodge under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts or any Grand Lodge it recognizes.  Freemasonry is a fraternity whose stated purposes is to draw together men from every country, race, religion, ethnicity, opinion, and background, and help cultivate better relationships and bonds of friendships among them by teaching the principles of Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth. Freemasonry doesn’t focus on Brotherly Love because it believes that only relations between men are important, or that relations between men and women are unimportant, but because we believe hope for peace and harmony in the world is improved when men can put aside their differences and come together as friends.  Freemasonry is a family of organizations, and we also appreciate and value our relations with women. We sponsor and participate in Masonic related organizations such as the Order of Eastern Star and the Order of Rainbow for Girls, whose members include women and girls respectively.

You might be also interested to learn that Co-Masonry or Mixed Masonry was organized in France 125 years ago.  It is organized in the United States as the American Federation of Human Rights.  In addition, female only Grand Lodges were organized in England more than 100 years ago and continue to exist today throughout the world, including the United States.

We have had a few posts—some angry and/or inappropriate—on why only men can become Freemasons. The answer given above this note is from the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, the sponsor of this forum.

Although discussion about the general exclusivity of men’s (or women’s) organizations is certainly important, there are other forums and venues out there where they can be addressed. These discussions, however, are beyond the scope of this forum.

As stated elsewhere, this is a moderated forum dedicated to helping men learn more about joining Freemasonry in Massachusetts. Unfortunately, questions deemed outside this scope will be deleted.

Thank you.

The Moderator.

I am a woman who is very interested in freemasonry do you think the exclusivity for men will disappear to make way for women?

Hi, Kirst-

Freemasonry under the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts and the Grand Lodges it recognizes seeks to establish the bonds of Brotherhood with men who share similar values for the betterment of the individual and the improvement of society.  Admitting women into the fraternity would be contrary to that mission.  But, it does not mean that there are not options for women who would like to be Masons.  Co-Masonry or Mixed Masonry was organized in France 125 years ago.  It exists in the United States today as Freemasonry for Men and Women.  Additionally, female only Grand Lodges were organized in England more than 100 years ago and continue to exist today throughout the world, including the United States.  Information about both of these groups is available on the internet.  Good luck pursuing your interest.
-Robert

There are many opportunities for women to participate in Freemasonry. The most popular way is to join a Co-Masonic group. More about Co-Masonry can be learned at the website:

http://www.co-masonry.org

There are a number of co-educational groups, affiliated with mainstream Masonry. The largest and most visible is the Order of the Eastern Star:

http://www.easternstar.org

There is also the Order of the Amaranth.

http://www.amaranth.org

Also, you may participate in the White Shrine of Jerusalem

http://www.supremeshrine.org

There are other masonic orders for women, that are affiliated with the Appendant bodies of Masonry.

Among these are the Daughters of Mokanna (affiliated with the Supreme Council Grotto)

and the Daughters of Isis (affiliated with the Ancient Egyptian Order, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine)

http://doipha.org

There is the social order of the Beauceant

http://www.yorkriteofcalifornia.org/commandery/beauceant.html

and there is the Heroines of Jericho

http://www.txphgrandhojcourt.org

and there is the Ladies’ Oriental Shrine of North America

http://www.ladiesorientalshrine.org

And this is only a partial list. There are opportunities to participate as an adult advisor for Masonic youth groups:

The Order of the DeMolay (young men 13-21)
The Order of the Rainbow for Girls (13-21)
The Job’s Daughters (13-21)

So, if a woman wants to participate in the masonic experience, and be of service to mankind, there are plenty of opportunities!

This is a serious question.

If a woman were to have a sex change operation, and become a man, would that person be allowed to be a Freemason?

NeonPoland - 20 February 2008 11:44 PM

If a woman were to have a sex change operation, and become a man, would that person be allowed to be a Freemason?

Honestly, I’m not sure there are pre-planned rules in advance for this, as such a situation would be rather rare.  Until a transgendered person showed up on a lodge’s doorstep and asks, I don’t know what the answer would be.  Perhaps one of the moderators can speak to if the Massachusetts Grand Lodge has ever had to addressed it.

Good question! I guess it would depend on the regulations in place at the particular state of residence. I heard of a case, where a man was a mason in California, and had a SRS (Sex reassignment surgery), and went to lodge(dressed as a woman), and was refused entry, and expelled from the lodge.

NeonPoland - 20 February 2008 11:44 PM

This is a serious question.

If a woman were to have a sex change operation, and become a man, would that person be allowed to be a Freemason?

Wow. There’s some commitment for you!

I am a 21 year old female. I want to be a Freemason so badly, I think I would consider getting a sex change operation if it meant I could officially practice the Craft.

Fortunately, I don’t think you’ll have to take that drastic a step.  Co-Masonry or Mixed Masonry was organized in France 125 years ago. It exists in the United States today as Freemasonry for Men and Women. Additionally, female only Grand Lodges were organized in England more than 100 years ago and continue to exist today throughout the world, including the United States. Information about both of these groups is available on the internet. Good luck pursuing your interest.
-Robert