Today, June 26th, President Joe Biden made a major announcement in honor of Pride Month. Using his clemency authority, the 46th president shared that he has pardoned the countless LGBTQ service members who were wrongly convicted for being true to their identity while in the military.
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“Despite their courage and sacrifice, thousands of LGBTQI+ service members were forced out of the military because of their sexual orientation or gender identity,” the President posted on Instagram. “Today, I’m using my clemency authority to pardon certain former service members who were convicted simply for being themselves.”
“Our nation’s service members stand on the frontlines of freedom, and risk their lives in order to defend our country,” he says in the statement. “Some of these patriotic Americans were subject to court-martial, and have carried the burden of this great injustice for decades. As Commander in Chief, I am committed to maintaining the finest fighting force in the world. That means making sure that every member of our military feels safe and respected.”
In a report by CBS News, in addition to the infamous “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy that barred openly LGBTQ people from serving in the military, beginning in 1951, the Uniform Code of Military Justice Article 125 explicitly criminalized consensual “sodomy,” until Congress and President Barack Obama decriminalized same-sex relationships through the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2014.
Despite this policy being overturned, the effects of those convictions remained, leaving LGBTQ veterans with criminal records and dishonorable discharges. Today’s pardoning will bring justice to those unfairly prosecuted.
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GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis said in a statement, “Today’s move by President Biden to pardon LGBTQ service members who were unfairly forced out of the military under the discriminatory ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ is his administration’s 343rd pro-LGBTQ action. It is an important signal not only to the thousands of brave LGBTQ Americans who deserved better for defending our country, but to all who understand that diversity, respect, and inclusion are American values. Thank you President Biden for righting this historic wrong and taking a strong stand in support of the LGBTQ community. No one should be punished or lose their job simply because of who they are or who they love.”
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Vice President Kamala Harris took to Instagram to share the news as well. “Every person in our nation must have the freedom to love who they love, openly and with pride — including our brave service members who sacrifice so much,” she states.
GLAAD is monitoring the Biden administration’s executive orders, legislative support, speeches and nominations that affect LGBTQ people and rights. Check out the Biden-Harris Accountability Tracker here.