Hi everyone,
My name is Haider Ali Bajwa, and I'm from Pakistan. I own a small custom clothing business called AshlarCo On Etsy, where we make personalized clothing, including Masonic jackets, blazers, and other embroidered items.
I'm not a Freemason myself, but over time, working on Masonic clothing has made me appreciate the history, meaning, and importance of the symbols used by the fraternity.
Today, I received a message from a customer asking if I could add an LGBTQ+ symbol to a custom Masonic jacket alongside the traditional Masonic emblems.
I have absolutely no problem with the customer's request or personal identity. I believe everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect.
However, since I'm not a Mason, I'm honestly not sure whether combining these symbols on the same jacket would be considered appropriate within Masonic traditions.
That's why I wanted to ask here before making the jacket.
My questions are:
- Would you personally see any issue with a Masonic jacket featuring both traditional Masonic emblems and an LGBTQ+ symbol?
- Is this generally considered a matter of personal choice, or are there particular Masonic customs or guidelines I should be aware of?
- As a non-Masonic manufacturer, is there anything specific I should avoid when creating personalized Masonic clothing?
I understand that Freemasonry differs between jurisdictions, and I'm not expecting everyone to have the same opinion.
I just want to make sure I'm being respectful to both my customer and the Masonic fraternity.
For me, these aren't just random logos to put on clothing. I understand that Masonic emblems carry meaning for the people who wear them, and I don't want to misuse something I may not fully understand.
I'm not here to advertise my business or start a debate about anyone's identity. I'm genuinely looking for advice from people who understand these traditions better than I do.
I'd really appreciate your thoughts, especially from Masons who have experience with custom lodge clothing or embroidered regalia.
Thank you for your time and guidance.