Du'ers: I've been asked to join a local Lions Club organization.

[Earth_First]

I've not yet been able to research much online their political affiliations.

As it's been explained to me by the member (who happens to also be the membership chairperson) that Lions Clubs are apolitical.

So. What can you tell me?

Do we have any members here at DU?

[Tangerine LaBamba]

1. I remember the Lions Club

from my home town, and they had nothing to do with politics.

Ran a lot of good charitable projects, including an eyeglass thing, the details of which I don't know.

Also, they had a great bar, and some epic poker games took place there.

It was very affectionately regarded in my home town, but that was such a long time ago.

I hope they're still like that.

Here ya go - I just googled "Lions Club eyeglasses" - look at the Jimmy Carter link - that might answer part of your question...

http://www.lionsclubs.org/EN/index.shtml

[donco6]

2. I used to be a Lion - we had a gay club.

No political affiliations with the one I was in.

[Veritas_et_Aequitas]

3. My dad used to be one.

It's mostly a service organization that runs charitable drives and events for eyesight preservation, voice preservation, and diabetes research/awareness/prevention. They also organize fun social activities. The first ball game I went to was a local Lions Club event.

I remember it being apolitical, areligious, etc. Heck, most of the time when they weren't working on a project, most of the guys (it was mostly men in my town) hung out at the bar. Go for it.

[Terran]

4. I was asked once too, years ago.

My impression is that they are, formally, apolitical. But, they're a private organization who raise money to do things helpful to their community, and how that gets decided is up for grabs, I imagine. The group in my town does a lot, and gives money to just about anyone who proposes a decent idea, but they're all a bunch of (I assume) straight married men and I'm gay, so I begged off.