Masonic thoughts

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I have a question that spins out of the recent revelations on Masonic membership codes. The Masons deem men to be anyone that says they are a man when they apply, but specifically won't ask transwomen to leave after they have transed.

Is this due to discrimination law? i.e. they are not allowed to discriminate against people on the basis of them being transgender. Fair enough... but does it specify anywhere in which sex you have to not discriminate against them? I.e. is it discrimination to stop a biological man accessing man-only clubs purely because they are transgender (and now identify as a woman)?

I don't think so. Trans women are legally women, I don't see how it could be classed as discrimination to treat them as women. I would have assumed they'd join the women's lodge.

There's no requirement for them to move from the lodge they are in to the women's lodge, although I'd imagine some would.

I've not actually seen the policies of any male-only organisations before. I wonder if this is common.

These are excellent questions.
Although technically their policy of allowing trans women to retain membership is probably technically sexist discrimination against females - why are they allowing some women (trans women) to be members, but not others (females)? Do you really think that any court would find that such a policy legitimate? What reason would you have to not allow natal women to join if you let trans women keep membership? And doesn't this masonic policy go explicitly against the "trans women are women" mantra?
I think the answer will be that if you're a female who identifies as a woman you will find yourself excluded.

It's muddy water, because they either have to argue they will only be open to those of the "male sex" and "gender reassignment," thereby acknowledging that trans women are not female.
OR they have say they admit "females," which means they should not exclude biological females who identify as women.

If you're interested, here is some information as to the Equality Act guidance for associations and private clubs:

The Act allows private clubs and other associations (except political parties) to restrict membership to people who share protected characteristics.

assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/85018/private-clubs.pdf