As a gay African American man, how do you feel about allegations that the Masons have a history of racial and homophobic policies or practices?
Things vary from lodge to lodge. The city I live in has a few dozen lodges. I know that in the past, and speaking on a global level, there are lodges that have not allowed blacks, lodges that have barred Jews and lodges that have kept out Catholics.
What about gays?
I have not heard of any lodge that has a policy that does not allow gay men in.
You believe that in the past or present, there have never been lodges that discriminated against homosexuals?
I’m not saying that. But I will say that I have not heard, before or after my induction, of a lodge that openly discriminates against gays. However, my friend who is a Mason is gay, but he is not out, and feels that if did come out, that it would be a problem in his lodge. There are people being inducted in my lodge who are surprised that I am allowed in as an openly gay man.
None of that bothers you?
American society does not accept gay people or black people. But I don’t wake up every day and walk out of my home thinking about that. I don’t live my life that way.
(thanks Trevor).
January 11, 2007 at 9:25 pm
Interview subject suggests Masons will not accept atheists as members. Worse than being black, worse than being gay, on-par with being a woman is admiting that there is no invisible monster that lives in the sky.
January 19, 2009 at 8:40 pm
Yes Trevor, thats right.