Alan Turing.
A British bill that would have granted pardons for men convicted of gay sex is not moving forward, the BBC reports.
The “Turing Bill” — named for World War II code-breaker Alan Turing, who was subjected to chemical castration because of his homosexuality — would have removed the criminal records of thousands of gay and bi men, both living and dead.
After emotional testimony from the bill’s author, member of Parliament John Nicolson, and shouts of “shame” from sympathetic politicians who saw the legislation dying a slow death, the “Turing Bill” was withdrawn. The conflict was over a companion bill introduced by the Ministry of Justice, which would only pardon dead men convicted of sex crimes. The government believes Nicolson’s Sexual Offences (Pardons) Bill could lead to the clearing of convictions for behavior that remains criminal.
Nicolson’s bill would overturn the convictions of men charged under a 1956 “buggery” law and an 1885 sexual “offences” act, assuming all those involved were consensual partners and over 16 at the time.
Yeah, you wouldn’t want to pardon men who were tortured for no reason, that might be the right thing to do, can’t have that! For Fuck’s Sake. Via The Advocate.
Eh? If they’re so afraid of granting pardons for behaviour that remains criminal, why not clarify that in the bill? E.g. pedophilia. Good lord it’s like they’re afraid of a blanket statement that would have a greater good, and can’t be bothered to put in a few caveats to make sure criminal behaviour isn’t pardoned.
It’s probably too much to hope that a similar bill will be appearing sometime soon again.