Biden announces process to pardon US veterans convicted by military of same-sex sexual relations

By Stephanie Kelly and Idrees Ali

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Joe Biden issued a proclamation Wednesday that would begin a process to pardon U.S. veterans convicted by the military of same-sex sexual conduct, which was illegal until the provision was repealed in late 2013.

The Biden administration estimates the proclamation could affect thousands of people convicted of consensual sexual conduct who are eligible for pardons, senior administration officials said.

“Our nation’s service members stand on the front lines of freedom and risk their lives to defend our country,” Biden said in a statement. “Despite their courage and great sacrifice, thousands of LGBTQI+ service members have been forced out of the military because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.”

Affected individuals can request proof that they may be eligible, and if they receive a pardon certificate, they can then request that their exit qualification be changed, officials said.

The administration is considering ways to contact people who may be eligible for pardons, officials said.

In late 2013, the U.S. Senate passed a measure that called for the repeal of a military ban on consensual sexual relations, defined in Article 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 to sign.

Biden served under Obama as vice president.

(Reporting by Stephanie Kelly and Idrees Ali; Editing by Leslie Adler)