Joe Biden has moved to correct a “great injustice” by pardoning thousands of US veterans convicted over six decades under a military law that banned gay sex.

The presidential proclamation, which comes during Pride month and an election year, allows LGBTQ+ service members convicted of crimes based solely on their sexual orientation to apply for a certificate of pardon that will help them receive withheld benefits.

It grants clemency to service members convicted under Uniform Code of Military Justice article 125 – which criminalised sodomy, including between consenting adults – between 1951 and 2013, when it was rewritten by Congress.

That includes victims of the 1950s “lavender scare”, a witch-hunt in which many LGBTQ+ people employed by the federal government were viewed as security risks amid fears their sexual orientation made them vulnerable to blackmail. Thousands were investigated and fired or denied employment.

  • @credo
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    145 months ago

    It’s not so much the blackmail with pot, it’s the fact you can’t “follow the rules”. They will give a bye for previous smoking events (before you need the clearance, took a position etc.), it’s smoking with a clearance or NOT telling them that will get you wrapped up.

    • @[email protected]
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      fedilink
      English
      105 months ago

      …it’s blackmail leverage ignoring the fact that it’s only blackmail material when the government considers it verboten…

      …it’s smoking with a clearance…

      Smoking with a clearance is only possible blackmail material because the government makes it verboten. Their point stands.

      • @credo
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        -25 months ago

        Can’t get a security clearance if you’ve smoked pot within the past 7 years because it’s blackmail leverage

        Their point doesn’t stand. Just report it.

    • @UnderpantsWeevil
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      25 months ago

      They will give a bye for previous smoking events

      That varies extensively by department and administration.