In a significant move, US President Joe Biden has granted pardons to thousands of veterans who were convicted under a military law that criminalized gay sex for over six decades. The provision in the Uniform Code of Military Justice that prohibited sodomy was finally repealed in 2013, marking a long-overdue acknowledgment of past injustices. This pardon aims to right the wrongs done to service members who were unfairly punished for being true to themselves.
The presidential proclamation is expected to benefit around 2,000 individuals, allowing them to apply for a certificate of pardon and potentially receive veteran benefits that were previously denied. This decision underscores President Biden’s commitment to supporting LGBTQ+ service members and ensuring their rights are protected within the military.
The move has been widely applauded by advocates for LGBTQ rights, with Sarah Kate Ellis from the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation praising the decision as a step towards promoting diversity, respect, and inclusion in the armed forces. As of 2022, there are approximately 79,000 LGBTQ individuals serving in the US military, highlighting the importance of ensuring equality and fairness for all service members.