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By Mark Singer (Washington DC) DEC 26 | A leading British newspaper, The Telegraph, reported yesterday that UK Equalities Minister Lynne Featherstone, is set to introduce a measure in Parliament that would effectively erase convictions of sexual offenses committed by Gay men having consensual sex with other Gay men over the age of 16 that occurred when those sexual acts were criminalized.
Patrick Hennessy, Political Editor of The Telegraph wrote:
The move will benefit thousands of men who were prosecuted for gay sex with someone over 16 during decades when the practice was against the law.
Consensual sex between two men over 21 was decriminalised in 1967. It was not until 1994 that the homosexual age of consent was reduced to 18, and 2000 when it was finally brought into line with the law for heterosexuals by being cut to 16.
Currently, they must disclose the information as part of the programme of Criminal Records Bureau checks if they apply to work or volunteer for charities and other organisations. Getting such a conviction expunged currently requires a lengthy process involving a personal application to a local chief constable.
During a conference earlier this month Featherstone told MPs earlier this month it was "unfair" and "unjust" that men should still fear being exposed for an act which has "long not been illegal".
She added:
"Such men will never again have to disclose that information. I hope very much that those gay men whom that has inhibited from volunteering will now find that inhibition removed."
Lynne Featherstone Rex Images UK
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Benji
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Location: USA
Registered: August 2007
Messages: 297
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I'd like to go a bit further, I'd like to see the US military overturn all dishonorable discharges of gay men based solely on their sexual orientation from the 40's up til the present (even further back if needed.)
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DesDownunder
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Location: Adelaide, South Australia
Registered: September 2010
Messages: 127
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Nothing less than a public apology to all gay men for the persecution and oppression they suffered through those laws, should accompany such a measure.
A memorial should be raised with the wording of the apology and including the phrase, "Never again shall any such laws against the personal freedom of sexual expression with another consenting adult be tolerated."
I suppose it should be made clear that screwing on the buses is not sanctioned before 1AM.
DesDownunder
Call me naive if you want, but life without trust in the goodness of others would be intolerable.
Religious indoctrination: It gets better, without it.
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UK Should Erase Convictions For Historic Gay Sex Offences 
