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https://www.npr.org/2024/06/26/g-s1-6364/biden-pardon-troops-lgbtqi-sexuality>
"President Joe Biden issued a blanket pardon on Wednesday morning to LGBTQI+
service members removed from the military because of their sexual orientation
or gender identity.
Biden said in a statement that he was “righting an historic wrong” by granting
clemency to all troops expelled during the 60 years that the military
explicitly banned consensual gay sex. Congress repealed that ban in 2013. White
House officials say this move, announced during Pride Month, will affect about
2,000 veterans.
The exact number of U.S. troops expelled over the years for their sexuality or
gender identity isn’t known, but advocates estimate that it’s over 100,000.
Commanders often used other ways to push gay troops out of the military, like
issuing violations or offering a less-than-honorable discharge in lieu of court
martial, the formal legal proceeding of the military.
“This is about dignity, decency, and ensuring the culture of our Armed Forces
reflect the values that make us an exceptional nation,” Biden said in the
statement. “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.”"
Via Kenny Chaffin.
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
