A general view of the exclusive men-only Garrick club on March 21, 2024 in London, England.
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LONDON — Members of Britain’s exclusive all-male Garrick Club have reportedly voted to allow women to join the institution for the first time in its 193-year history.
Voting was on Tuesday. Reportedly pass with about 60 percent After two hours of secret debate, held near the club’s headquarters in central London, in favor of Discussion closed to non-members.
The historic vote comes as the club has faced intense scrutiny in recent weeks after Britain’s Guardian newspaper published the names of some of its key figures. Influential members.
A closely guarded membership list revealed the club to be a vestige of Britain’s patriarchal establishment, with the majority of members white and over 50.
Along with King Charles III, the list as members included the Deputy Prime Minister, the head of the Secret Intelligence Service or MI6, dozens of members of the House of Lords, and 10 members of Parliament. Notable public figures from the arts, including actors Benedict Cumberbatch and Brian Cox, were also named.
The Garrick Club, named after 18th-century actor David Garrick, was founded in 1831 as a place where “actors and men of reform and education could meet on equal terms,” according to a statement on the club’s website. are.” Today, it has more than 1300 members.
Women hold banners during a protest for equality at the entrance to the Garrick Club on Thursday, March 28, 2024 in London, Britain.
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A spokesperson for the club did not immediately respond to CNBC’s emailed request for comment. A staff member told CNBC by telephone that there is no department to deal with vote-related questions.
however, A source 562 members voted in favor and 375, about 40 percent, voted against, told the Guardian.
Britain’s famous private clubs have come under increasing criticism in recent years following a series of scandals that have exposed sexism, vandalism and hooliganism among elite groups.
Former British Prime Ministers Boris Johnson and David Cameron were embarrassed after revelations about their culture. Toxicity and bullying Inside his Oxford University Billingdon Club. Meanwhile, the organizer of the President’s Club charity dinner was forced to resign after reports of sexual harassment of hosts at the event.
It was not immediately clear when women would be allowed to join the Garrick club or how they could qualify if they were interested.
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