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.

  • eldavi@lemmy.ml
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    5 months ago

    he also switched sides back then on that topic too when it was no longer politically popular.

    he’s not a leader nor is it growth (he was proud of appeasing segregationists during his campaign and kamala had to put him in his place); he’s a politician that does whatever it takes to get votes.

    • DAMunzy@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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      5 months ago

      Shh, let them have this. They need their team to be the saviors. Look how they trot out Jack Black like a clown. And now trickle out some good news a bit before the elections.

      They’re just gonna plug their ears and yell.

      • disguy_ovahea@lemmy.world
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        5 months ago

        No one is calling Democrats saviors. They just enact more legislation that benefits people and planet while Republicans support corporations and Christianity. Feel free to pick whatever side is more compelling to you.