DAR Removes Chapter After Dispute Over Transgender Membership Policy
The Daughters of the American Revolution removed a chapter after the chapter contested the organization's policy on transgender members. The national society determined that the chapter had violated a provision of its bylaws. The dispute centered on the chapter's challenge to allowing transgender members.
The Martha Laird Chapter, based in Texas, contested DAR's approach to transgender membership. The national organization's board approved dissolution on Oct. 10, 2026, by a two-thirds vote. A letter from Organizing Secretary General Marguerite Hogan Fritsch cited a bylaws provision, Article XIX, Section 4, but did not detail the specific conduct or link the decision to the chapter's membership stance.
DAR told Fox News Digital that chapter officers had used the chapter's name, positions, communications, and governance to advance a separate advocacy group's aims. The national body said that use of authority and resources, rather than the views expressed, discredited the society. It also said the vote was not based on members' opinions on eligibility or bylaw-change advocacy.
The decision may intensify debates within lineage and heritage groups about membership rules and internal dissent. Chapters and members who disagree with national policies could face greater pressure to align or risk losing recognition. Transgender people seeking membership may experience continued uncertainty, while organizations may review governance rules to clarify how chapters can advocate for changes. The outcome could also shape how similar nonprofits balance centralized authority with local autonomy.