By Stephanie Kelly and Idrees Ali
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Joe Biden on Wednesday issued a proclamation that would initiate a process to pardon U.S. veterans convicted by the military of gay sex, which was illegal until the provision was repealed in late 2013.
The Biden administration estimates that the proclamation could impact thousands of individuals convicted of consensual sexual conduct who may be eligible for pardons, according to senior administration officials.
“Our nation’s military personnel are on the front lines of freedom, risking their lives to defend our country,” Biden said in a statement. “Despite their courage and great sacrifice, thousands of LGBTQI+ service members were forced out of the military because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.”
Affected individuals can request proof of potential eligibility, and if they receive a certificate of pardon, they can then apply to change the characterization of their discharge, officials said.
The administration is considering ways to reach individuals who may be eligible for clemency, the officials said.
In late 2013, the U.S. Senate passed a measure that, among other things, would repeal a military ban on consensual sex, defined in Section 125 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice as “unnatural carnal copulation,” according to the ACLU. The Senate sent the measure to former President Barack Obama for his signature.
Biden served as vice president under Obama.
(Reporting by Stephanie Kelly and Idrees Ali; Editing by Leslie Adler)
