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 issued an official decision that biological women and transgender individuals cannot become Masons in Texas.
The decision cites the male-only origins of the fraternity and falls back on the Ancient Charges as published by Dr. James Anderson in his 1723 Constitutions.
This decision does not constitute a judgment on gender identity, gender expression, or transgender issues, and every Mason is free to form a private opinion on the subject.
In 2018, the United Grand Lodge of England issued an official “Gender Reassignment Policy” that allows transgender men who have undergone gender reassignment surgery to become Masons, but existing members who undergo gender reassignment cannot be excluded from the fraternity.
The UGLE also directs women who wish to become Masons to two different female Masonic grand lodges in London that represent a combined membership of more than 50,000 lady Masons.
