Biden pardons thousands of US veterans convicted under law banning gay sex
Biden pardons thousands of US veterans convicted under law banning gay sex
President corrects ‘great injustice’ with clemency for military personnel ‘convicted simply for being themselves’
Joe Biden has moved to correct a “great injustice” by pardoning thousands of US veterans convicted over six decades under a military law that banned gay sex.
The presidential proclamation, which comes during Pride month and an election year, allows LGBTQ+ service members convicted of crimes based solely on their sexual orientation to apply for a certificate of pardon that will help them receive withheld benefits.
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It grants clemency to service members convicted under Uniform Code of Military Justice article 125 – which criminalised sodomy, including between consenting adults – between 1951 and 2013, when it was rewritten by Congress.
That includes victims of the 1950s “lavender scare”, a witch-hunt in which many LGBTQ+ people employed by the federal government were viewed as security risks amid fears their sexual orientation made them vulnerable to blackmail. Thousands were investigated and fired or denied employment.
“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” was bigoted propaganda branded as a consideration, and the Lavender Scare was horrifically layered oppression. It was basically, “We’ve decided your sexuality is scandalous, forcing you to hide it, which makes you at risk of being blackmailed, so we’re charging you with a crime.” Fucking despicable.
These pardons are excellent. It’s such a shame thousands of veterans had to live so long with criminal records for who they are, not even what they did.
I like the part of the election cycle when some good things are allowed to happen.
I don't even blame Biden for waiting. Americans have such short memories that getting elected means having to hold some things in reserve, and getting reelected or passing the office on are genuinely important factors. It just sucks that people had to wait.
Congrats to everyone helped by this!
Check out the book “Conduct Unbecoming” by Randy Shilts. It is a great read and account of much of this history (herstory).
Great job, Democrats. He's was VP for 8 years while Obama was president. Didn't do it then. And now you do this at the end of Biden's 4 years and he's dropping in polls to Felon Donny. Sure, we'll forget all about the workers' rights being trampled and the genocide in Gaza.
We have such great choices. A Douche and Turd.