US President Joe Biden issued a proclamation on Wednesday that would launch a process to pardon US veterans convicted by the military of having gay sex, which was illegal until the provision was repealed in late 2013. .
The Biden administration estimates that the proclamation could affect thousands of individuals convicted of consensual sexual conduct who could be eligible for a pardon, senior administration officials said.
“Our nation’s service members are on the front lines of freedom and risk their lives to defend our country,” Biden said in a statement.
“Despite their bravery and great sacrifice, thousands of LGBTQI+ service members were forced to leave the military due to their sexual orientation or gender identity.”
Affected individuals can request proof that they may be eligible and if they receive a certificate of pardon, then they can request that the characterization of their discharge be changed, senior officials said.
The administration is considering ways to reach people who might be eligible for clemency, according to officials.
In late 2013, the U.S. Senate passed a measure that included a repeal of the military’s ban on consensual sexual relations, defined in Section 125 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice as “unnatural carnal intercourse,” according to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).
The Senate sent the measure to former President Barack Obama for his signature.
Biden was Obama’s vice president.
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