The internal feud over transgender members at the Daughters of the American Revolution is going public as the women’s patriotic organization holds a pivotal vote on whether to continue accepting biological males who identify as female.
A resolution defining “woman” as “born female” is scheduled to go Friday before members at the DAR 135th Continental Congress, pitting the leadership and more liberal chapters against a grassroots uprising fighting the transgender-membership policy.
Leading the revolt is Daughters Advocating for Restoration, a cohort of members dedicated to “restoring and preserving the Daughters of the American Revolution as a women’s only organization.”
The debate isn’t theoretical. Membership is limited to women 18 and older descended from an ancestor who aided the American Revolution, but the president-general said in 2023 that “transgender women” are eligible under the group’s nondiscrimination policy.
An estimated five biological males who identify as women have joined DAR chapters in recent years, spurring thousands of resignations — and fueling the campaign to clarify that “daughters” mean biological women.
Laura McDonald, treasurer of the Martha Laird Chapter in Mount Pleasant, Texas, said the “historic vote” comes after years of trying to place the issue before the membership, only to be rejected by what she called the “gatekeepers.”
“For three years in a row, members have tried to amend the national bylaws of the DAR to define a woman, but our bylaws say that in order to amend those bylaws, it has to go through the National Board of Management,” she told The Washington Times. “For three years in a row, they have rejected a grassroots attempt to amend the bylaws.”
This time, foes of the transgender policy tried a different tack. They sought to hold a special meeting, which requires support from at least 30 chapters in 10 states. They wound up with 95 chapters in 30 states.
Instead of seeking to amend the bylaws, the group opted to introduce a resolution defining “woman” after consulting with a professional parliamentarian.
“He told us that there’s really nothing wrong with the way the bylaws read,” said Ms. McDonald. “The bylaws still say that any woman who is 18 years old and can prove her descent of a patriot is eligible for membership. He said the problem is how they’re being interpreted.”
The resolution reads: “Resolved, That in Article III, Section 1 of the Bylaws, the term ’woman’ shall be understood to clearly mean a woman who was born female, and therefore, individuals who were born male shall not be eligible for membership; transgender women shall not be eligible for membership; and men who have their birth certificates changed from male to female shall not be eligible for membership.”
DAR leaders have warned that banning transgender members would violate the District’s public-accommodation laws, jeopardizing the organization’s nonprofit status and property-tax exemption, an argument challenged by opponents.
“What they don’t tell you is that while transgender people are a protected class in Washington, D.C., when it comes to places of public accommodation and employer-employee relationships, they’re not a protected class when it comes to private member associations,” said Ms. McDonald.
The Washington Times has reached out to the Daughters of the American Revolution for comment.
Supporters of the transgender policy aren’t waiting on the sidelines. A countergroup, Daughters for Inclusivity, formed on Facebook in March to advocate for transgender members, posting a statement of principles that includes, “Yes, trans women are women.”
Daughters for Inclusivity cheered the DAR for taking steps to “include all women descendants,” including creating a committee to research the lineage of “underrepresented Patriots” and clarifying its nondiscrimination policy.
“Sadly, we recognize certain groups are attempting to spread a different message. This has crept into our chapters and conversations and is tearing us apart,” said the group on Facebook. “We stand firmly in welcoming all women, and believe the focus should be on DAR’s mission of historic preservation, education, and patriotism.”
The pro-transgender side is also backing three amendments before the Continental Congress that would make it more difficult to amend the bylaws and call special meetings. The gathering runs Thursday through Sunday at DAR’s Memorial Continental Hall in the District.
Daughters for Inclusivity posted resolutions from several chapters expressing support for the DAR’s 2023 amendment adding “sexual orientation” to its anti-discrimination bylaw.
“Furthermore, the chapter commends the National Society for its leadership in upholding legal compliance, protecting the organization from discrimination liability, and safeguarding the future of DAR,” said the resolution from the Knickerbocker Chapter in New York.
Foes of the transgender policy argue that biological males aren’t just joining DAR chapters; they’re also assuming leadership roles and receiving honors that should have gone to women.
“Men have paged at Continental Congress in white dresses and have participated in ceremonies held at Continental Congress by carrying their state flags,” said Ms. McDonald in a May 18 post on the Daughters Advocating for Restoration website. “Men are currently chapter regents and vice regents. These are opportunities that were taken away from women.”
She added: “We have no malice for these men. But they’re not women.”
So far, the numbers appear to favor the resistance. Daughters Advocating for Restoration has 12,000 members on its Facebook page, while Daughters for Inclusivity has 1,500 members.
Then again, the pro-transgender side may have more clout. Daughters for Inclusivity’s members include DAR President-General Ginni Sebastian Storage.
The DAR was founded in 1890 after the Sons of the American Revolution refused to allow female members. The venerable women’s organization has about 190,000 members and 3,000 chapters.
Prominent historical figures who belonged to the DAR include Barbara Bush, Rosalyn Carter, Eleanor Roosevelt and Susan B. Anthony. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, Illinois Democrat, is also a member.
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