The distinction between "clerical" and "lay" is artificial; it has no theological basis and truly no basis in reality.  The defensive insistence on labels to perpetuate the distinction between "clergy" and "laity" is silly at best, and divisive at worst.  As St. Paul wrote to the Galatians: "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free person, there is not male and female, there is not clergy or lay; for you are all one in Christ Jesus."
OK: Paul didn't write "there is not clergy or lay".  He didn't have to; the distinction hadn't been drawn yet. It's time for us to grow up and abandon the silly nonsense we use to divide, control and limit each other.
This issue would not arise if the Ministry of Acolyte, which is not a clerical ministry, were open to women; but in yet another sign of the fear that characterizes so much of the church's discipline, the formal ministries of Acolyte and Lector are reserved to men -- which is indefensible.