Biden Pardons Approximately 2,000 Veterans Convicted Under Military Ban on Gay Sex
In a historic and significant move, President Joe Biden has granted pardons to approximately 2,000 veterans who were convicted under a military law that criminalized gay sex. This provision of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) was in effect from 1951 until its repeal in 2013, marking over six decades of discriminatory legal practices against LGBTQ+ service members. The pardon comes as part of President Biden’s effort to correct what he described as "righting an historic wrong." He stated, "We have a sacred obligation to all of our service members - including our brave LGBTQ+ service members: to properly prepare and equip them when they are sent into harm's way, and to care for them and their families when they return home." This move is aimed at acknowledging and addressing the injustices faced by LGBTQ+ veterans who were convicted simply for being themselves. The controversial provision of the UCMJ that outlawed consensual sodomy was separate from ...
