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Originally posted by moe.ron
Since when did the Masons accept women in their membership?
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In the United States? Never, to my knowledge. (They usually join the Order of the Eastern Star.)
In England, there are women-only Masonic bodies called the Honourable Fraternity of Antient Freemasons (HFAF) (
http://www.hfaf.org/index.html) and the Order of Women Freemasons (OWF). English Masons are prohibited from joining the Order of the Eastern Star. (But not the Scottish or the Irish Grand Lodges of Freemasonry, where OES thrives.)
There is a movement of mixed male and female Freemasonry called "co-Masonry" or
Le Droit Humain, which is considered "irregular" and not recognized by nearly all 'mainstream' grand lodges of Freemasonry worldwide.
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Statement issued by the United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE) - 10th March 1999
There exist in England and Wales at least two Grand Lodges solely for women. Except that these bodies admit women, they are, so far as can be ascertained, otherwise regular in their practice. There is also one which admits both men and women to membership. They are not recognised by this Grand Lodge and intervisitation may not take place. There are, however, discussions from time to time with the women's Grand Lodges on matters of mutual concern. Brethren are therefore free to explain to non-Masons, if asked, that Freemasonry is not confined to men(even though this Grand Lodge does not itself admit women). Further information about these bodies may be obtained by writing to the Grand Secretary.
The Board is also aware that there exist other bodies not directly imitative of pure antient Masonry, but which by implication introduce Freemasonry, such as the Order of the Eastern Star. Membership of such bodies, attendance at their meetings, or participation in their ceremonies is incompatible with membership of this Grand Lodge.
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