Exciting News for LGBTQ+ Veterans
President Biden will soon offer a pardon to hundreds of veterans who were convicted by the military for having voluntary same-sex relationships. This news comes from three anonymous officials and will be officially announced by the president this Wednesday.
Tremendous Act of Justice
Biden’s choice to pardon will impact about 2,000 individuals, according to a U.S. official. These veterans were charged under Article 125 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. This now-outdated law, in effect from 1951 to 2013, made sodomy an offense among service members.
The Details
Strange as it might seem, this pardon won’t wipe clean the records of those who defied or tried to defy this law. Instead, it gives these veterans a chance to apply for a pardon certificate. With this certificate, they might finally receive the benefits they’ve missed out on.
How This Works
To get a pardon certificate, eligible service members first need to fill out an online form. Then, they have to send it to their service provider. If all goes well, a pardon attorney issues a certificate. This certificate paves the way for a change in a service member’s discharge characterization.
The Impact
Discharge characterizations can either open or close doors to benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). For example, certain discharge types disqualify veterans from VA benefits like home loans, healthcare, disability compensation, and even burial and education benefits. This pardon could help change that.
2021: A Turning Point
Also, it was just last year that the Veterans Affairs Department said that military service members dismissed because of their sexual orientation, gender identity, or HIV status could finally get full benefits. This announcement occurred on the 10th anniversary of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy. This discriminatory policy had prevented openly gay, lesbian, and bisexual members from serving in the military.
Fighting Discrimination
In September 2023, the Defense Department stated that LGBTQ veterans dishonorably discharged before the elimination of DADT could seek to correct their military records.
A Step Toward Equality
President Biden’s move to pardon LGBTQ veterans convicted under a bygone military law isn’t just about making right the wrongs of the past. It’s about igniting change for a more inclusive future.
This pardon might not undo the harm done. However, it brings justice to those who served their country while facing discrimination. With this move, these veterans have a path to reclaim their rights and benefits.
A Message of Inclusion
The decision sends a strong message of acceptance and inclusion to the LGBTQ community. It finally recognizes their equal right to serve in the military and enjoy the same benefits as their peers. This not only changes the lives of the service members involved but it also challenges outdated perceptions and prejudices.
Conclusion
As we look forward to President Biden’s official announcement on Wednesday, we can’t help but feel a glimmer of hope. Hope that equality, acceptance, and change are not just distant dreams, but achievable realities.
The journey toward social justice and equality often feels long and winding. Yet, each small step fuels our momentum. This decision is indeed a significant step. Let’s hope it’s merely a glimpse of the many progressive strides we have yet to witness.