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On Wednesday morning, President Joe Biden granted blanket pardons to LGBTQI+ service members who were discharged from the military because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
In a statement, Biden said he was “righting a historic wrong” by granting clemency to all soldiers expelled during a 60-year period when the military explicitly prohibited consensual same-sex sex. Congress repealed the ban in 2013.
The exact number of U.S. troops who have been expelled over the years because of their sexual orientation or gender identity is unclear, but advocates estimate it is more than 100,000. Commanders often use other means to remove gay soldiers from the military, such as issuing infractions or dishonorable discharge status in lieu of a court-martial (the military’s formal legal process).
“This is about dignity, decency, and ensuring that the culture of our armed forces reflects the values that make us the great nation we are,” Biden said in the statement. “We have a sacred obligation to all of our service members — including our brave LGBTQI+ service members. duty: to properly prepare and equip them when they are in danger and to care for them and their families when they return home. Today, we are making progress in that pursuit.
The acts covered by the pardon include those convicted of serious crimes for consensual private conduct with a person aged 18 and over. Those accused of serious crimes such as sexual coercion or adultery are not covered by the amnesty.
An honorable discharge is not only a disgrace; It automatically strips veterans of VA benefits and health care. Then, getting a civilian job can be difficult because employers often ask about military service and discharge when hiring.
The pardon would clear a huge hurdle for thousands of veterans to upgrade their eligibility to the Department of Defense, but it remains a long and difficult process. In many cases, the VA is able to provide benefits to many veterans who were not honorably discharged.
Veterans Affairs Secretary Dennis McDonald addressed the question at a press conference on Tuesday.
“I do have a very specific message for every veteran, whether they were honorably discharged or not, and that is: We want to work with you. My message is please come see us,” he said.
According to the announcement, the Biden administration will still consider expediting pardons on a case-by-case basis for other LGBTQI+ individuals charged with crimes that do not fall within these guidelines.
