Members of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) are pushing back against the national organization’s recent decision to allow trans-identifying men to join. A group called Daughters Advocating for Restoration, which includes the Martha Laird Chapter in Texas and five other chapters from different states, has reached out to former President Donald Trump for support in their cause.
In a letter to Trump, the group expressed concern that the DAR has "fallen prey to trans ideology." They urged him to highlight the changes within the organization, especially after he signed an executive order affirming that the U.S. recognizes only two genders. The DAR was established in 1890 as a women-only group focused on historic preservation, education, and patriotism. The letter emphasized that the organization’s leadership has strayed from its original mission by embracing the transgender movement.
The members argue that the national leadership’s stance on inclusion could jeopardize the DAR’s nonprofit status. They pointed out that the organization claims excluding trans-identifying men could lead to losing its 501(c)(3) status, but they feel this assertion lacks legal backing. The letter criticized the leadership for suggesting that a man can be considered a woman if he identifies as such, especially if he has a birth certificate altered to reflect a female designation.
The group has faced challenges in voicing their concerns. They noted that proposals aimed at preventing trans-identifying men from joining have been rejected, and members have been warned against discussing the issue, facing potential disciplinary action for doing so. Over 150 DAR members signed the letter opposing the national leadership’s decision.
Recently, the DAR National Board of Management dismissed a proposal from the Texas chapter that sought to prohibit all men, including trans-identifying individuals, from the organization. In their response to the Martha Laird Chapter, the board deemed the proposed amendment unsuitable for the group’s bylaws and not in the best interest of the society.
Laura McDonald, a member of the Martha Laird Chapter, explained that their new proposal aims to ensure that applicants act honestly when applying for membership. She emphasized that the DAR should remain a society exclusively for women, regardless of any altered documents presented by applicants.
As this debate continues, the national organization has not commented on the issue. The situation reflects broader discussions about gender identity and inclusion in various organizations, raising questions about tradition and the evolving definitions of gender.