Biden grants categorical pardon to servicemembers convicted for sexual orientation

President Biden issues a categorical pardon for certain former servicemembers who were convicted of crimes based solely on their sexual orientation under laws and regulations that targeted LGBTQ+ people, including sodomy statutes under the Uniform Code of Military Justice. The pardon covers an estimated 2,000 veterans who received criminal convictions for their sexual orientation. Biden had already directed the DOD to conduct a proactive review of discharge records for veterans who received less-than-honorable discharges based on their sexual orientation under Don't Ask, Don't Tell. The action is part of a comprehensive Biden effort to address decades of discrimination against LGBTQ+ servicemembers.