Magic circle welcomes first female member after 34‑year wait
Sophie Lloyd, who disguised herself as a man in 1989 to join the Magic Circle, is receiving official membership after 34 years. This is a symbolic recognition of her courage and determination.
Key information
- Sophie Lloyd disguised herself as a man to join the Magic Circle in 1989.
- She receives official membership in this prestigious organization after 34 years.
- The Magic Circle acknowledges her contribution to the fight for gender equality in the world of magic.
Sophie Lloyd, a well-known illusionist, disguised herself as a man in 1989 to join the Magic Circle, an elite association of magicians. At that time, women were not allowed to be members.
Lloyd, under the pseudonym Raymond Lloyd, managed to deceive the examiners and gain membership. When the truth came out, the club expelled her.
As emphasized by the BBC, 34 years after this event, the Magic Circle decided to grant Sophie Lloyd official membership. This is a symbolic recognition of her courage and determination in the fight for gender equality in the world of magic. The certificate award ceremony will be held in London at 15:00 ET.
Sophie Lloyd expressed how deeply moved she was by the moment, describing it as a wonderful experience. Receiving a certificate bearing her real name came as a fantastic and unexpected gift after so many years. Following her expulsion from the club, she went on to manage a travelling theatre of her own and eventually chose to retire early in Spain.
The decision by the Magic Circle has been positively received. Laura London, the first female chair of the association, emphasized that Lloyd is a role model for women in magic. - I felt it important that the Magic Circle should be able to recognise Sophie as the role model for women magicians, as well as show that we are now a completely open society - she said.
During the ceremony, Jenny Winstanley, a friend of Lloyd who helped her with the disguise, will also be honoured. "This is for Jenny, really," Lloyd recalls. "I just think Jenny would have loved it," she added.
A new era for the Magic Circle?
Although the Magic Circle remains a male-dominated organization, this event could be a step toward greater openness and equality. Currently, only 5% of members are women, but changes are on the horizon.
