Title: Biden Grants Pardons to Military Members Convicted for Violating Old Gay Sex Ban
Welcome to Boston Post News, where we bring you the latest updates and stories that matter to you. Today, we have a compelling story about President Joe Biden’s recent pardoning of former U.S. service members who were convicted of violating a now-repealed military ban on consensual gay sex.
In a historic move, President Biden granted a pardon to those who were convicted under the Uniform Code of Military Justice’s former Article 125, which criminalized sodomy. This law, which had been in place since 1951, was revised in 2013 to only prohibit forcible acts.
Individuals covered by this pardon will have the opportunity to apply for proof that their conviction has been expunged, request upgrades to their military discharges, and seek to recover lost pay and benefits.
President Biden emphasized the importance of correcting past injustices, stating, “Today, I am righting a historic wrong by using my clemency authority to pardon many former service members who were convicted simply for being themselves. We have a sacred obligation to all of our service members, including our brave LGBTQI+ service members, to properly prepare and care for them.”
This significant decision comes during Pride Month and ahead of a fundraiser with LGBTQ donors, as President Biden aims to garner support from the Democratic-leaning community.
Modern Military, the nation’s largest organization of LGBTQ+ service members and their families, hailed the pardon as a “historic step towards justice and equality” and urged the military to swiftly approve these pardons.
While the reasons for the timing of the pardon remain undisclosed, this marks the third categorical pardon by President Biden, following previous actions to pardon individuals federally convicted for marijuana possession.
The White House estimates that several thousand service members will benefit from this pardon, with the majority having been convicted prior to the repeal of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy in 2011.
It is important to note that service members convicted of nonconsensual acts are not covered by this pardon, and those convicted under different articles of the military justice code may need to seek clemency through the standard Department of Justice pardon process.
President Biden has also directed the Department of Veterans Affairs to ensure that service members who were dishonorably discharged due to their sexual orientation, gender identity, or HIV status receive the benefits they deserve.
As we reflect on this momentous decision, let us commend the efforts to rectify past injustices and strive for a more inclusive and equitable future for all.
Stay tuned to Boston Post News for more updates on this story and other important news affecting our community.
