President Biden will issue a mass pardon Tuesday for veterans convicted of consensual same-sex activity, the White House said — even though he voted for one of the landmark laws that banned gays and lesbians from the military.
President Biden will issue a mass pardon Tuesday for veterans convicted of consensual same-sex activity, the White House said — even though he voted for one of the landmark laws that banned gays and lesbians from the military while he was a senator.
Biden, 81, will make the pardon announcement before joining pop star Elton John at the Stonewall Inn Friday in Manhattan to celebrate the 55th anniversary of the modern gay rights movement.
“We can’t give an exact number, but the administration estimates that there are thousands of individuals who were convicted of consensual conduct under the UCMJ provision 125 and who may therefore be eligible for the pardon,” a Biden administration official told reporters on a press call.
“This is a historic injustice, and the president is therefore taking this historic step to ensure that we live up to our sacred obligation to care for all service members, veterans and their families.
