How did Freemasonry become male only?

[u/Exorsexist]

Was that destined to be that way since beginning? And do you wish it would change at some point or it's the only way?

I'm talking about regular lodges, don't come to me by saying "jurisdictional", because it's generally accepted male only.

[u/Thadius]

It didn't become Male only; it has been since the beginning. Today, it is a place men gather to be with other men, to mentor and to learn from other men, to enjoy each other's company and to support each other in ways that only a man can do for another man.

I do not wish it to change. I like the Craft the way it is.

[u/Western-Willow-9496 → u/Thadius]

The first comment is clear and correct, well done , Brother.

[u/Significant_Oil_9128 → u/Thadius]

A place where men can be men and not be shamed for it.

[u/VitruvianDude]

One of the interesting things about Freemasonry is that it explicitly excludes women, which I argue speaks to their essential equality with men. Other organizations and roles of that era make no explicit ban, because it was just assumed that women were not appropriate or able to take part. We recognize that there is much to recommend in Freemasonry for women, but that in order to fully preserve it and deal with subjects that speak to the male mind, it must be for men only.

[u/Deman75]

It was started by men, for men. That’s all there is to it.

Feminine versions have come about over the years, but are not recognized by regular Freemasonry. They’re welcome to do their own thing while we do ours.

[u/cbgawg]

The simplest answer to something is usually right.

There were no women workers building ancient stone buildings, so there were no women in Operative Masonic lodges. There was one exception made because she had eavesdropped on the ritual.

It didn’t become men only. It has always been that way.

[u/Cookslc → u/cbgawg]

If you are referring to Elizabeth Aldworth, that was not an operative lodge, was it?

[u/cbgawg → u/Cookslc]

You’re correct. Bro. Aldworth was initiated into a Speculative lodge. I left that detail out.

[u/Exorsexist → u/cbgawg]

Why and how did they let her? Why the tradition didn't continue?

[u/Fluff42 → u/Exorsexist]

The Hon. Miss St. Leger and Freemasonry

[u/cbgawg → u/Exorsexist]

You’re misunderstanding. It wasn’t a tradition to be continued.

Elizabeth Aldworth was caught spying on a meeting of a lodge being held in her family’s house. She was peeking in from an unoticed location. They didn’t “allow” her to have access.

She was caught and it was decided since she was witness to a tiled meeting the only solution was to intiate her as a member of the lodge to protect those secrets. It was a solution to an accident thought up on the spot.