Many State and National Officers continue to insist that the Bylaw Amendment adopted at the 132nd Continental Congress did not allow for men to be eligible members. The amendment that was adopted struck the words
“provided an applicant for chapter membership is personally acceptable to the chapter.”
and added the words
“NSDAR and its chapters may not discriminate against an eligible applicant based on race, religion,
sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.”
Members who support the efforts to restore our society as founded, have never claimed that the bylaw amendment from the 132nd Continental Congress is the reason these men are eligible for membership, although a good case can be made for that.
No, our claim that men are currently on the member rolls is solely based on the President General’s Message from October of 2023, her FAQ, as well as the evidential proof found from online publications.
President General Pamela Edwards Rouse Wright said the following in her Message from October 2023…
She also confirmed in her FAQ that
“Transgender women have been, and continue to be, eligible for DAR membership.”
Questions remain unanswered – again, while State and National Officers insist the bylaw language adopted at the 132nd Continental Congress did not allow for men to be eligible members, during discussion and debate, the President General said that men who produce a birth certificate indicating they are female cannot be turned away. Below is a transcript of this part of the business meeting:
Jennifer Mease: Madam President General, with the proposed change in wording to the Bylaw, would our…
Pamela Wright: Could you, could you state your name and chapter first. And are you a delegate?
Jennifer Mease: I am Jennifer Mease from the Liberty Bell, Regent of the Liberty Bell Chapter.
Pamela Wright: Ok, in which State?
Jennifer Mease: Pennsylvania.
Pamela Wright: Perfect. Thank you.
Jennifer Mease: Thank you. I just have a question.
Pamela Wright: Yes ma’am.
Jennifer Mease: With the proposed change in wording to the Bylaw, would our chapters be able to still vote not to admit into our chapter a person whose birth certificate has been altered by their state to indicate they are female even though they were born a male?
Pamela Wright: If a, if a pers…, if a person’s birth certificate, certified birth certificate, states female, you must… they’re eligible for membership, and your chapter cannot, cannot change that.
Jennifer Mease: So, with this, currently we can because we vote them in, correct? So this change would change that?
Pamela Wright: I’m so sorry, I’m having trouble hearing. Say it one more time for me. [possibly adjusting an earpiece]
Jennifer Mease: So currently, the way it’s written, we can personally…
Pamela Wright: No.
Jennifer Mease: …vote them in.
Pamela Wright: If a person’s birth certificate is female they’re eligible for membership. Therefore, they can be accepted as a member currently. And if this passes, it’s the same. Does that help?
Jennifer Mease: I guess…
Pamela Wright’s Personal Page [whispering in Pamela Wright’s ear]: Now with this change, they’re not able to not vote someone in based on these qualifications.
Pamela Wright: Oh, I can’t, I misunderstood the question hold on I’m having trouble hearing I’m sorry.
Pamela Wright’s Personal Page [whispering in Pamela Wright’s ear] So what she’s saying is, right now, they could vote to not accept someone because they’re not a protected class, and this amendment it protects them.
Pamela Wright: Hold just a second, ok? Just a minute… (leaves the podium for several seconds consulting with others)…
Ok, it is protected today and it is protected if this passes, if it’s a certified birth certificate that states the applicant is a female. Does that help?
Jennifer Mease: I think the question was the wording of the Bylaw currently. We vote people in to the chapter for our membership.
Pamela Wright: You can still vote, your chapter can still vote if you have voting in your Bylaws – you cannot discriminate. You can still vote if your chapter votes on prospective members.
Jennifer Mease: So would that be counted discrimination?
Pamela Wright: Yes, if you voted… [turns back to ask a question] can I say this? [turns back to audience] I’m going to say it, yes, if their birth certificate says they’re female, and you vote against them based on…by their protected class – it’s discrimination.
Jennifer Mease: Alright. Thank you Madam.
Pamela Wright: Yes, darling.
Debate and Discussion start at 2:19:08