S.O. wearing badge

[john1082]

I believe that same gender couples were not contemplated when our governing documents were written in 1909. They've been amended since but more in form than substance.

Although we would know immediately that a woman wearing a badge was not an initiate, a same gender partner of a Brother would give rise to some ambiguity. Years ago presenting a spouse / mother with a badge was a stylish thing to do. I like the idea, but I've not seen it out here on the west coast - still a practice or a quaint out of practice custom?

I don't profess to know the answer, but I can see questions. I have been to LXA functions where a Brother brought his partner and I was confused at first because I thought that the guest was one of us!

The Committee on Emblems and Ritual may want to visit this topic at General Assembly in 2007. The badge police aren't gonna catch anybody in the mean time but this may be an appropriate topic for exploration for future deliberations.