The Garrick Club in London is at the center of a heated debate over its policy of excluding women from membership, with influential members threatening resignation and a crucial vote looming.
The Garrick Club, a historic private members’ club in central London, is currently embroiled in controversy over its male-only membership policy. Founded in 1831, the club has long been a bastion of exclusivity, but recent debates and resignations have highlighted internal and external pressures for change.
Prominent figures such as journalists John Simpson, singer Sting, and actor Stephen Fry have publicly opposed the club’s stance on not admitting female members. They have even threatened to resign unless the policy is changed. This stance has garnered support from various members within the entertainment industry, who have expressed concerns about the club’s negative impact on gender relations in professional settings.
The controversy intensified following the leak of the club’s full membership list, revealing the identities of high-profile members who have been involved in blocking the admission of women. This disclosure has led to a further backlash and a flurry of resignations from notable members including those high up in the civil service and the intelligence community.
The club’s internal rules state that a two-thirds majority is required to change the membership policy, a threshold that past efforts to admit women have failed to achieve. However, despite there being no explicit rule banning female members, traditional interpretations of the club’s policies have continued to enforce its male-only status.
As the club faces a pivotal vote next Tuesday, the outcome could signal a significant shift either towards retaining its historical gender exclusivity or moving towards a more inclusive membership policy. The decision will undoubtedly have profound implications for the future identity and ethos of the Garrick Club.
