NEWS: UK pardons thousands of gay men
UK pardons thousands of gay men
Thousands of gay and bisexual men found guilty of decades-old sexual offences have been posthumously pardoned, the UK government has announced.
The enactment of the so-called Alan Turing law means thousands will be cleared of crimes of which they would be innocent today.
Wartime code-breaker Mr Turing was pardoned in 2013 for gross indecency.
Statutory pardons will also be granted to people still living who apply to have their convictions removed.
The pardons were first announced last year and have now been officially rubber-stamped after the Policing and Crime Bill received Royal Assent.
The men were found guilty of committing now-abolished offences while in consensual relationships.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-38814338
Alan Turing
Turing Law receives Royal Assent
Another important milestone of equality has been secured in law.
Gay and bi men, cautioned or convicted for kissing, holding hands or just chatting up men, can now have these ‘crimes’ deleted from their record.
This follows amendments recommended by Lord Cashman in the House of Lords in December. These have now been made law with Policing and Crime Act 2017 today receiving Royal Assent.
This is significant. And it’s as important to the whole lesbian, gay, bi and trans community, as it is for the gay and bi men affected.
The more equality is enshrined into our law books, the stronger our equality becomes, and the stronger we as a community become.
Earlier this month the Government issued a clear and powerful apology to every gay and bi man who had been unjustly criminalised for being who they are.
This is not just equality for gay and bi men; the passing of this law is justice.
We’re working to ensure that this new process is brought quickly and correctly, and to ensure all gay and bi men unjustly persecuted and prosecuted can finally receive the justice they deserve.
http://www.stonewall.org.uk/our-work/blog/turing-law-receives-royal-assent
Alan Turing – BBC Horizon Documentary The Strange Life and Death of Dr Turing (full vídeo)
Turing’s Law: Thousands of convicted gay and bisexual men receive posthumous pardons
Code-breaker Alan Turing was given a posthumous royal pardon in 2013 over a conviction in 1952 for gross indecency with a man CREDIT: REX FEATURES
By Kate McCann, senior political correspondent
31 JANUARY 2017 • 3:29PM
Thousands of gay men convicted of now-abolished sexual offences have been posthumously pardoned after a new law received Royal assent.
The so-called Turing’s Law, named after Alan Turing who was convicted of gross indecency in 1952 for having sex with a man, officially came into force today.
The rule, contained in the Policing and Crime Bill, will allow gay and bisexual men convicted of consensual same-sex acts to be pardoned as long as it can be proved that the sexual act was consensual and the partner was over the age of consent.
Relatives of Alan Turing hand in a petition to 10 Downing Street calling for the 49,000 people convicted under British anti-gay laws to be pardoned CREDIT: JOHN STILLWELL/PA
Men can apply through the disregard process and their convictions will be checked by the Home Office before being quashed.
Justice Minister Sam Gyimah said: “This is a truly momentous day. We can never undo the hurt caused, but we have apologised and taken action to right these wrongs.
“I am immensely proud that ‘Turing’s Law’ has become a reality under this Government.”
Click on link below to Watch | Turing ‘a war hero like Churchill’
Mr Turing, known as the father of modern computing, was convicted in 1952 and committed suicide just two years later after undergoing chemical castration in a bid to “cure” his homosexuality.
The new law received widespread support after being suggested by Lord Sharkey, Lord Cashman and Lord Lexden as part of an amendment to the Government bill.
Thousands of men have already been pardoned but the Home Office confirmed that several cases have been rejected because the activity was non-consensual.
