Biden to paardon convicted gay veterans

[*pally*]

Between 1951 and 2013 approximately 2000 service members were convicted of consensual homosexual acts deemed illegal under UCMJ. On Wed, President Biden will extend clemency to these veterans.

The pardons do not change their discharge statuses however the military is reviewing all discharges regarding gay military members

[Lucidus]

(06-25-2024, 05:54 PM)pally Wrote: Between 1951 and 2013 approximately 2000 service members were convicted of consensual homosexual acts deemed illegal under UCMJ.  On Wed, President Biden will extend clemency to these veterans.  

The pardons do not change their discharge statuses however the military is reviewing all discharges regarding gay military members

Long overdue, but I'm grateful it's finally happening.

[Sociopathicsteelerfan]

I honestly can't believe that this didn't occur under Obama. Regardless, as stated above this is long overdue.

[FormerlyBengalRugby]

(06-25-2024, 07:28 PM)Sociopathicsteelerfan Wrote: I honestly can't believe that this didn't occur under Obama.  Regardless, as stated above this is long overdue.

Agreed, long over due.

Why didn't he do it three years ago?

[Mike M (the other one)]

(06-25-2024, 09:13 PM)FormerlyBengalRugby Wrote: Agreed, long over due.

Why didn't he do it three years ago?

Should have been done already.

Needs votes? 

[HarleyDog]

(06-25-2024, 05:54 PM)pally Wrote: Between 1951 and 2013 approximately 2000 service members were convicted of consensual homosexual acts deemed illegal under UCMJ.  On Wed, President Biden will extend clemency to these veterans.  

The pardons do not change their discharge statuses however the military is reviewing all discharges regarding gay military members

Curious question: Were some of these soldiers arrested? Using words like clemency and pardon reads as if some were? Also, I wonder what the majority of the discharge statuses were. I think dishonorable would be unfair, so hoping general.

[Sociopathicsteelerfan]

(06-26-2024, 09:25 AM)Mike M (the other one) Wrote: Should have been done already.

Needs votes? 

Of course he is, but in this instance I'm ok with it.  Unlike forgiving student loans this doesn't cost the taxpayers money and it rectifies a historical wrong.

[*pally*]

(06-26-2024, 09:36 AM)HarleyDog Wrote: Curious question: Were some of these soldiers arrested? Using words like clemency and pardon reads as if some were? Also, I wonder what the majority of the discharge statuses were. I think dishonorable would be unfair, so hoping general.

There were thousands of dishonorable discharges if people admitted to being gay or attempting homosexual acts

Arrests and convictions did occur for people engaging and being caught in homosexual acts.  Those are the approximately 2000 people getting pardoned.  The pardons will forgive the convictions but can not change the discharge status.  A different commission in the DOD is looking at those for everyone 

[*pally*]

President Biden believes our nation has a sacred obligation to all of our service members – including our brave LGBTQI+ service members. Today, he is pardoning many former service members who were convicted simply for being themselves. pic.twitter.com/wLuBn6lC4N

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) June 26, 2024

[*TheLeonardLeap*]

Good move.

[*michaelsean*]

Didn’t realize anyone actually got criminal charges. Glad they get pardoned.