Gender Reassignment Policy

1. SCOPE

This policy sets out UGLE’s approach to the issues raised for Freemasonry by gender reassignment.
It is intended to help guide Lodges in their decision making. It does not impose binding rules and
although it gives some general guidance on discrimination law it does not constitute legal advice.
This Policy does not attempt to address all the issues relating to gender which may arise as gender
reassignment and gender transition become more prevalent in a changing society and when they do
they will need to be addressed in accordance with Masonic principles of lawfulness, kindness and
tolerance.

2. GENERAL

It is important that any situation involving gender reassignment of a Freemason is treated with the
utmost compassion and sensitivity and that the individual is supported throughout the process.
If a Freemason who is a member of UGLE wishes to change gender and become a woman we expect
that the Freemason would receive the full support of their brethren. The privacy of the individual
should be respected and there will normally be no requirement to inform the applicable
Metropolitan, Provincial or District Grand Secretary or the Grand Secretary about this change.

3. APPLICATIONS FOR ADMISSION

A candidate for admission to Freemasonry under the jurisdiction of UGLE must be a man. Should a
person who has undergone gender reassignment and has become a man apply to become a
Freemason then his application must be processed in the same way as for any other male candidate.
Any qualified candidate for admission may be proposed for membership of a private lodge in
accordance with the provisions in the Rules contained in the Book of Constitutions. No candidate
should be subjected to questions about their gender which could make them feel uncomfortable.

4. CONTINUED MEMBERSHIP

A Freemason who after initiation ceases to be a man does not cease to be a Freemason.
We expect that Freemasons will act with compassion and sensitivity towards their fellow
Freemasons.
We hope that no Freemason would engage in unwanted conduct relating to another Freemason’s
actual or perceived gender reassigment or gender transition. Such conduct would not only be
unmasonic but is also unlawful if it has the purpose or effect of violating the dignity of, or creating
an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for, the victim.

5. RESIGNATION FROM THE CRAFT

A Freemason who becomes a woman is not required to resign from the Craft.
If a person resigns from the Craft then they and their dependants might no longer be eligible for
some of the benefits provided by the Masonic charities now or in the future.

6. EXCLUSION FROM A LODGE

A Lodge may vote to exclude any member for sufficient cause. The following grounds would
constitute unlawful discrimination and so could never constitute sufficient cause:
a. The fact that a member has legally become a woman;
b. A mistaken belief that a member has legally become a woman;
c. The fact that a member is in the process of transition from male to female; or
d. A mistaken belief that a member is in the process of transitioning from male to female.
Similarly a Lodge must not attempt to persuade a member to resign from the Lodge or discriminate
against a member based on any of these grounds. A Lodge must not at any time require a member
to prove that they are legally a man.

7. AMENDMENT

The law and what is considered best practice in this area are developing rapidly. This policy may be
amended from time to time and so please ensure that you are referring to the latest version.

Date adopted: 17 July 2018

Quoted:
Time to go clandy.

Quoted:
you wont know if a female to male transsexual joins. There are some really masculine females and if they take their shirt off you would see a hairy muscular  chest. We dont check a persons genitals.

I brought this up a couple of meetings ago, afterwards.  The old guys were like noooooooooo waaaaayyyyyyyy.
On the other hand, what if a male to female transsexual joins or a crossdresser... it has a penis.  ???

Quoted:

That's the point. nobody's checking..

When's the last time you went on an investigation and asked they  were a transsexual

Quoted:

I get you bro.

What if their name was Leslie or Lynn?

Quoted:
Regardless of our opinions on it, you can see why the UGLE put this out..., in the UK, speaking ill of trans people is a hate crime, much less saying that they can't be in your organization.

"the following grounds would constitute unlawful discrimination"

IMO, it appears that the UGLE is doing their best to navigate troubled waters.