Democrat President Joe Biden has issued a pardon to thousands of military veterans convicted under a since-repealed ban on sodomy.
The Wednesday pardon could affect up to 2,000 veterans who were convicted under the Uniform Code of Military Justice Article 125.
The law previously made it a crime to engage “in unnatural carnal copulation with another person of the same or opposite sex or with an animal.”
The sodomy ban was in effect from 1951 until 2013, when it was repealed by then-President Barack Obama.
Biden said he was fulfilling a “sacred obligation” to correct an injustice against “LGBTQI+” service members.
“This is about dignity, decency, and ensuring the culture of our Armed Forces reflect the values that make us an exceptional nation,” Biden said.
“We have a sacred obligation to all of our service members – including our brave LGBTQI+ service members: to properly prepare and equip them when they are sent into harm’s way and to care for them and their families when they return home.
“Today, we are making progress in that pursuit.”
The pardon is part of a flurry of executive actions from Biden ahead of the presidential election.
However, officials claim the timing of the move was coincidental.
“I think that this action, in particular, is just aligned with his values and the priorities of the administration,” an official said.
“I would not read into the political nature of it.
“It is a way to write a historic wrong and we felt like the time was now.”
The pardon could allow those convicted of sodomy to change their discharge status, enabling them to claim veterans’ benefits for the first time.
“Today, I am righting a historic wrong by using my clemency authority to pardon many former service members who were convicted simply for being themselves,” Biden said.
“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.”
Public acceptance of gay marriage and homosexuality grew significantly during Obama’s presidency.
Under Obama, the Supreme Court legalized gay marriage nationwide.
Biden embraced gay marriage publicly in 2012 while serving as Obama’s vice president.
Obama took steps to change the Clinton-era “don’t ask don’t tell” compromise for gays in uniform.
When he repealed the sodomy ban, Obama clarified that it only applies to forcible sodomy and bestiality.
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