Biden to Pardon Thousands of Veterans Convicted Under Sodomy Law During Pride Month

President Joe Biden has announced pardons for thousands of U.S. military veterans convicted under Article 125 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, which criminalized consensual gay sex from 1951 until its repeal in 2013. This move aims to correct historical injustices and allow these veterans to regain lost benefits such as military pensions, home loans, and education assistance. The pardons do not automatically clear the records; affected veterans must apply for a certificate of pardon and follow a military approval process to have their discharge status changed. This clemency action, announced during Pride Month, is seen as a significant step toward acknowledging and remedying past discrimination against LGBTQI+ service members. The administration estimates that thousands could be affected and is exploring ways to reach potentially eligible individuals. The pardon does not cover nonconsensual acts or other related charges, which will go through the normal pardon process.