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.

    • Dagwood222@lemm.ee
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      15
      arrow-down
      3
      ·
      5 months ago

      low effort post

      Exactly what effort did you put into your [I use the term loosely] joke?

      I mean, if you want to talk about effort, you could take the time to repudiate all the Trump pardons and show how they benefitted the country.

        • Dagwood222@lemm.ee
          link
          fedilink
          arrow-up
          1
          ·
          5 months ago

          Seven hours went by between my post and your response.

          The funniest thing I can imagine is you in those seven hours.

          Did it take you seven hours to come up with such a witty response?

          Or seven hours to work up the nerve to send it?

          Or did you go to your burger flipping job and then fly into a rage?

          Or seven hours arguing with your Mom about why you aren’t outside on such a nice day?

          Whatever it was, I am sure I’ll be laughing at your next message just as hard.

          You are a funny, funny person.