Architect of Gender Identity Drive Defends Freemasonry Membership Amid Hypocrisy Claims
Edward Lord Faces Criticism Over Freemasonry Membership While Campaigning for Transgender Rights
Edward Lord, who chairs the City of London’s establishment committee and campaigns for transgender rights, has been compelled to defend their membership in the Freemasons amidst accusations of hypocrisy.
The controversy arose as Lord, who identifies as non-binary and uses the pronoun “they,” has led a consultation aimed at ending sex segregation in women-only spaces at notable landmarks, including Hampstead Heath ponds, the Barbican arts centre, Tower Bridge, and the Museum of London.
A heated debate erupted on Twitter when it was revealed that Lord is a member of the Freemasons, an organization traditionally known for its male-only lodges.
Critics pointed out the contradiction, noting that Lord had previously stated that gender identity is “of complete irrelevance biologically,” yet remained part of a male-only institution.
One critic tweeted, “So does this mean you will be campaigning to allow women into the male lodges of the Freemasons as well? You know, with all spaces becoming mixed and all?”
In response, Lord defended their position by stating, “I take the view that I can best influence change from within,” and shared a Freemasons statement indicating that transmen are welcome to join and trans women can remain members. When questioned about the alleged hypocrisy, Lord admitted to the Telegraph, “It is something I continue to struggle with and continue to think about.”
“If it was entirely up to me, I would change things, but you have to take 250,000 members with you,” Lord added. “I’ve spoken fairly freely on this subject and the fact that Freemasons could be more welcoming and inclusive. The one area I would change is on gender.”
Helen Lewis, associate editor of the New Statesman, challenged Lord, saying, “I’m afraid I find it very hard to square your continued participation in the Masons with a genuine desire to smash patriarchy. I don’t have the luxury of trying to effect change from within… because I am not allowed in. You can see why that rankles?”
Lord replied, “Of course, I completely get it. That’s why my preference would be that membership of Freemasonry wouldn’t be restricted on gender/sex, but we will never get to that point unless some people inside the organisation say ‘hey, this doesn’t make sense, why don’t we change?’”
Under current English law, transgender individuals have a “protected characteristic” and are granted access to single-sex spaces.
Those identifying as the opposite sex but who have not yet transitioned do not have the same rights, although proposed reforms to the Gender Recognition Act aim to address this.
Men only in Masonry