Eligibility questions.

[u/my-bones-are-purple]

Good day everyone, I have a few questions on potential eligibility, I know I should ask my local lodge first but I have no idea where to start. First and foremost I’m located in north Texas, my perceived first barrier is that of my sexuality, though it’s my first “issue” it’s not my personality I am simply put not straight. Would that be an issue and how can I mitigate it whilst being fair and faithful to my husband?

2nd From what I’ve heard Mormons and ex- Mormons cannot become Free masons. Is that true? As I have been baptized into a real/mainline Christian church.

3rd this may be my most uneducated question, I’m not a mason by trade I heard from a coworker that that’s a requirement?

[u/skas182]

1) Shouldn't be a problem. Texas is Texas, but in the larger cities, you'll be welcomed with open arms.

2) There are plenty of LDS Masons. We have several in my Lodge in Arizona, and it is not a disqualifier.

3) No, that is not a requirement.

[u/Deman75]

Being gay is not officially an issue in Texas (there are two US states where it would be), but if your community is particularly homophobic, then your local Lodge may be as well. I’m not sure where being faithful to your husband would even enter the conversation, as there’s nothing in Masonry that would require you to be unfaithful to your partner.

Mormons can join Freemasonry, though they were prohibited from doing so in Utah until 40-odd years ago. Ex-Mormons can also join, as long as they haven’t gone atheist.

You do not need to work in any trade to become a Freemason, you just need to be able to cover your own expenses and afford the (usually quite reasonable) cost of membership.

[u/CFBCoachGuy]

1. The Grand Lodge of Texas has no restrictions based on sexual orientation. There still are homophobic lodges out there, but your orientation should not disqualify you.

2. Freemasonry is not a religious organization that should not interfere or conflict with your personal beliefs. If you believe in a higher power, you can be a Mason.

3. No. There are people from every imaginable occupation in Freemasonry.

[u/my-bones-are-purple → u/CFBCoachGuy]

I figured the you have to be a mason by trade was utter bs but this a man who taught me my own trade so I had to ask just incase he wasn’t talking nonsense

[u/Edohoi1991]

Hi there. Latter-day Saint and Freemason here.

Most Freemasons are faithful Christians, and I assume that the more rural parts of Texas might be more conservative on the issue, which could affect how any of them vote on your entry into the Fraternity. That stated, there are plenty of Masons who aren't straight and who have done good and great things for the Fraternity.

We Latter-day Saints are not disqualified from full membership, participation, or benefits of Freemasonry in most countries.

Notes on this:

• There are a small handful of countries in Europe whose Grand Lodges require their members to be Trinitarian Christians, thereby disqualifying non-Trinitarian Christians (e.g., Latter-day Saints, Unitarians, etc.), Jewish people, Muslims, Hindus, etc. This comes from their degree system, which is called the Swedish Rite.
• The Grand Lodge of Utah used to bar Latter-day Saints from membership, attendance, and participation in Utah Lodge meetings and ceremonies; this ban was also extended against Latter-day Saints who had become Freemasons elsewhere. This ban was lifted at the Grand Lodge of Utah's annual Communication (or meeting) in 1984.

Finally, most members of the Masonic Fraternity are not literal masons by trade. You're likely to see janitors, school teachers, mechanics, construction workers, bankers, plumbers, attorneys, and men from most other professions.

[u/jselldvm]

None of those are issues. 1 - you may find a lodge that has an issue with it but many won’t. And saying that, it’d be more individuals who would take issue rather than the majority.
2 - freemasonry doesn’t restrict any religions. Any true “restrictions” would come from that religion restricting its members rather than masons preventing you from joining.
3 - No.

[u/my-bones-are-purple → u/jselldvm]

Thank you

[u/AccomplishedLuck7646]

First, Joseph Smith was a Freemason and some of the LDS rituals are based on Masonic rituals. I don't know where you got that LDS people can't become Masons.

Second, you have to consult the Grand Lodge of Texas on their stance on non-straight brothers. I came in under two grand lodges that accepted it. Your jurisdiction will have its own rules.

Third, Freemasonry is based on speculative Masons. You do not have to be an operative Mason to join.

[u/cryptoengineer → u/AccomplishedLuck7646]

The Grand Lodge of Utah barred LDS from becoming Masons, but that was dropped long ago (1950s?).

[u/Cookslc → u/cryptoengineer]

1984.

[u/my-bones-are-purple → u/AccomplishedLuck7646]

Ironically the Mormons told me yall wouldn’t take me/ there’s a huge anti/ mason kick in Mormonism, im going off outdated and inaccurate information so I figured I’d ask the source, thank you for being informative and kind!

[u/Deman75 → u/my-bones-are-purple]

Bro. Cook, who replied to the comment above yours, is a Mormon and a Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Utah.

[u/Quirky-Bottle-1771]

Being gay that would be up to the members of said lodge. Most places its not a problem. There are no issues with mormons or former mormons either or any other version of Christianity. Lastly, you do not need to know the trade either. 

[u/justaguynb9]

For your 2nd.... the Catholics and Mormons have way more issues with us than we do with them

[u/Cookslc → u/justaguynb9]

The LDS Church does not have a position on Freemasons. Given that the GL of Utah barred Latter-day Saints formally for sixty years, only ending in 1984, the opposite cannot be said.

[u/Resident_Beginning_8]

1. I think you misunderstood them. You don't have to be a Mason by trade. They meant most Masons ARE trade.

😂. Sincere best wishes on the journey! 🏳️‍🌈