Gay and bisexual men in the UK that were convicted of sexual offences (that are now totally not a thing) are able to be pardoned and have the convictions wiped from their records.
Inspired by the posthumous pardoning of Alan Turing in 2013 for his previous “”crimes”” for gross indecency, the UK Government have allowed all deceased people who had been convicted of similar crimes to be automatically pardoned, and those still alive can apply for a pardon and their criminal records fixed up.
Not everyone is super stoked by this news, because they don’t think a pardon is enough. Some of those convicted that are still alive have demanded apologies from the UK Government, which is bloody fair enough considering they were persecuted for something that was consensual.
George Montague spoke to the BBC, furious about the pardon amendment. He was convicted in 1974 (which seriously isn’t that long ago AT ALL) and wants an apology from the UK Government for the way he was treated simply for being affectionate with another man.
He believes that accepting a pardon says zilch about the Government being apologetic for blatant disregard for LGBTQIA rights.
“To accept a pardon means you accept that you were guilty. I was not guilty of anything. I was only guilty of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
George puts forward a good argument, but giving the option of having the records set straight for 15,000 convicted men still alive today is a step in the right direction.
Source: BBC.
Image: Wikipedia.
Image: Wikipedia.
