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.

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.

  • UnderpantsWeevil@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    9
    arrow-down
    12
    ·
    6 months ago

    Why doesn’t everything I want happen instantly, the moment that I want it?

    Likely because you don’t have a large lobbying firm or a country club full of politicians to schmooze with.

    Probably Biben’s fault

    Biden’s been a federal politician for over half his adult life. He regularly gets exactly what he wants.