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.

  • snooggums
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    3 days ago

    It seems Biden likes to make things happen withiut making a big deal about it, because in a perfect world that sounds like a good thing. Just get stuff done!

    But the Dems as a whole need to get better at messaging their victories so they get the credit, which I understand is hard when rage bait sells, but if nobody knows they can’t counter the conservative lies.

    • Eldritch@lemmy.world
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      3 days ago

      The 4th estate is a wholly owned subsidiary of fascist inc these days. And facts don’t sell. Just rage.

      • Cosmicomical@lemmy.world
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        3 days ago

        In this world, you are judged for what you do. If nobody knows what you did, nobody will vote for you. Instead they will vote for the loud mouthed orange peeled racist rapist. So, making your actions noticed is kind of a moral duty.

    • Maggoty@lemmy.world
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      3 days ago

      He tried to take victory laps. The problem is he tried to take one on the economy for several months in a row which led to people seeing him as disconnected and only working for the finance sector. His messaging has been absolute garbage this election cycle and if any one other than Trump was running we’d already be getting ready for the next Republican president.