Post by Anonymous on Dec 22, 2012 18:17:32 GMT 9.5
Hi,
I like to make some inquiries regarding information I have available about a female person who in my opinion should not be allowed to become a Woman free mason. I understand that this person is about to apply for membership in one of your masonry clubs in Adelaide.
As I wish to remain anonymous in every respect I am not able to divulge my name or address.
Further information would be available at your request.
As an antidote to the post that initiated this thread, I hope you will indulge a brother who in a few days will observe his 77th birthday and who received his initiation more than 50 years ago. The topic, women Freemasons, jogged my memory to the time when I met the noble women (and a man or two) who directed my feet on the Masonic path. To my knowledge Marie Deraismes L. no longer exists, but I still see clearly the BB of that L. who worked tirelessly to keep alive the North American Ritual.
Most especially I remember Ill.·. Bro.·. Demetria Taylor, 32°, a business woman and writer, who selflessly lent her home for rehearsals and occupied the chair when there was no one else who could take that responsibility. Her kindness and generosity outside the L. were known to all.
V.·. Ill.·. Bro.·. Eugenia Pumphry, 33°, our district deputy for many years and the R.·.W.·.M.·. who brought me to light, was a model for us all. She frequently traveled from her home in Baltimore to visit the LL on the eastern seaboard. She demonstrated that gentleness and masonic precision could co-exist in the same person.
Were I to consider an application for admission into our ancient order, I would measure him/her against these two women and brothers, who started their journey just as we did: a poor candidate in a state of darkness. They rose in rank, but never forgot their origins. The Craft brought out in them the noblest sentiments of brotherhood.
Thank you for letting me speak of these BB, whom I remember with fraternal love and admiration.
This topic brings a question to mind that i have regarding of course female freemasons. Which is, that as far as im aware, since the founding of adelaide all attorney generals of this state have been freemasons. Adelaides first female attorney general was appointed two years ago. Also a few years ago i took a tour of the grand lodge on north terrace. In the group there were a few women which at one point during the tour , one of the females ask the question
" can women become freemasons and or are there existing female masons"
In which her reply was bluntly NO.
Im sure you can now see my question has arisen from somewhat of a , let say contradiction in her answer of no, and now having a female attorney general.
The United Grand Lodge of England has ruled on existing brethren that have had a sex change to become female - yes they can remain in lodge, even dressed as females.
Also women that have had a sex change to become male - they can be initiated.
UGLE seems to be struggling with potential candidates that are neither purely male nor purely female.
It may also be useful to note that since a Freemason's lodge extends E to W etc, it necessarily includes almost 4 billion uninitiated females
This topic brings a question to mind that i have regarding of course female freemasons. Which is, that as far as im aware, since the founding of adelaide all attorney generals of this state have been freemasons. Adelaides first female attorney general was appointed two years ago. Also a few years ago i took a tour of the grand lodge on north terrace. In the group there were a few women which at one point during the tour , one of the females ask the question
" can women become freemasons and or are there existing female masons"
In which her reply was bluntly NO.
Im sure you can now see my question has arisen from somewhat of a , let say contradiction in her answer of no, and now having a female attorney general.
I'm sorry to read that, as I have met at least one Australian female who was also openly a Freemason. Perhaps lodges in New South Wales operate differently to South Australia?
