Hi Bro. Stephen (and everyone else too),
I am a Past President of the 3 5 7 Brotherhood Chapter of the Widows Sons in Chicago, IL and can answer some of your questions as well as shed a little light on the organization. First, I would like to acknowledge that the Widows Sons is not the only group of Masonic motorcyclists. There are other local area groups like "Freemasons" and "Bruthaz" although I do not know whether either has a web presence and I am certain neither is in Texas. The Widows Sons, however, is undeniably the group that has been successful in terms of growth, expansion, and recognition. As a result, we have also become a more noticeable target for stereotypes about "bikers" as well as Masonic political mudslinging. Some of the responses have sadly been deserved but the majority have not. The reality is that when most people see bikers, they think trouble makers or even 1%ers. I would argue that our events are well organized and highly Masonic. Most Grand Lodges are quietly watching us and assessing the organization with increasing favoritism. We are a booster organization for Freemasonry and a motorcycle riding association,
not a motorcycle club. We are also moving past the traditional biker image and Masons of all shapes, sizes, colors, beliefs, and professions are joining. We are Master Masons and motorcycle enthusiasts first and foremost, Widows Sons second.
The Widows Sons Masonic Motorcycle Association is still a very new organization by Masonic standards being less than 15 years old. We have seen incredible growth; approximately 38 states in the US plus most territories in Canada, and countries ranging from England, Scotland, and Germany to S. Korea, Japan, and Australia, and more. Despite this, our status and popularity varies from one state to another, much like many Masonic organizations. The Tall Cedars of Lebanon and the Sciots are good examples of other Masonic groups that are also pretty well known and, although not banned, not recognized in every state. Outside of Texas, that is a reasonable comparison. Additionally, the Widows Sons operate at the state level in the US which also leads to variation from one state to the next. We do not have a national body and chapters determine the nature and powers granted to their state-level Grand Chapters. The result is that behavior can be inconsistent.
Several years ago, the Grand Lodge of Texas issued an edict prohibiting Texas Masons from belonging to the Widows Sons organization. To the best of my knowledge, this resulted from cockiness and a stubborn and inappropriate insistence on being recognized by your Grand Lodge. It was never to my knowledge the result of unMasonic behavior of any type on the part of the Texas Widows Sons. They certainly should have been more tactful in the pursuit of their goals but they seem to be good guys overall despite possibly having less than smooth dealings with the GL.
Masonic bikers will always have an uphill struggle as we learn to play together but we are getting there and the proof is in our success outside of Texas. This sadly doesn't change the fact that we are banned from Texas Masonry but hopefully this too will change as efforts are made to improve and repair heavily damaged relations. I am sure that there are now Masons in Texas who want the ban to remain permanent. It's certainly a challenge to advocate a group once politics have reached this level. However, each and every one of us puts Masonry first so I do not advise pursuing membership in Texas (or any other state if you are a Texas Mason and therefore accountable to their GL). It's hard to be a member of a Masonic organization once the grand Lodge has kicked you out of Freemasonry and that is the unfortunate reality in Texas... for now. As an international organization, we are gaining more an more respect with each day and have been recognized in many states. I am proud to say that our organization was just recognized by the Grand Lodge of Illinois this past year which is a testimony to our movement in the right direction.
There was a comment about some weirdness in Washington but I can tell you that a brother Mason absolutely has the right to contact any chapter and ask questions about membership or simply out of curiosity. I will provide some links below. Best of luck and feel free to email me directly with additional questions. I'll try to respond in a timely fashion.
S & F,
Matt Robinson
Oriental Lodge No. 33, AF&AM
357 Brotherhood Chapter, WS(IL)
Valley of Chicago, AASR
Old Chicago York Rite
mcr1975@gmail.com
Official Widows Sons Website:
The Official Homepage of the International Widows Sons Masonic Riders Association, WSMRA since 1998
357 Brotherhood Website:
357 Brotherhood
357 Brotherhood Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Widows-Sons-357-Brotherhood-Chapter/101558933217207
357 Brotherhood Twitter: @357bros