Biden Pardons Queer Soldiers

[ysabetwordsmith]

Biden pardons veterans convicted by US military for gay sex

U.S. President Joe Biden issued a proclamation Wednesday that would pardon eligible military veterans convicted for consensual gay sex, which was illegal in the military prior to 2013.

The Biden administration believes that the pardon will affect thousands of former service members. Those who are eligible can request proof that their conviction was eradicated, get their discharge status changed and access benefits not received because of their conviction.


Good luck getting that to stick in today's society, but it's a grand effort regardless.  Anyhow, pass the word to any queer veterans you know.  Uncle Sam fucking owes them.

Comments

Re: Yes ...

[see_also_friend]

With this whole situation, I'd say that ideally the conviction - or whatever other appropriate term, I am not a lawyer - should be completely removed, and any disadvantages received from the conviction (debt, reputation, etc) should be mended.

Re: Yes ...

[ysabetwordsmith]

Ideally, yes, but in that case they usually say "expunged" rather than "pardoned."

T-America has an additional version: "cleared" means the relationship with society has been repaired. It's a common outcome, and a lot of what adjudicators do is aimed at that. Going to court is for people who can't solve their own problems, or don't care.

Re: Yes ...

[see_also_friend]

Expunged then.