Important for LGBTQ+: PAST

---------------------------        "The Sexual Offences Act 1967 decriminalised private, consensual 'homosexual acts' between persons aged 21 and over in England" (A history of LGBT criminalisation).

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image source: https://blog.nationalarchives.gov.uk/1967-sexual-offences-act-50-years-lgbt-history/

It is a good news that England finally decriminlize the homosexual activities in 1967, which displayed one of successes in LGBT right movement. People finally near to the equality that they want and they have the right to have homosexual activities legally. Are these your first thoughts when you look at the above information related to Sexual Offences Act 1967?

However, you could find a serious problem if you think on a deeper level. The England decriminalise homosexual activities in 1967, and right now it is 2022. Only 55 years have passed. This message underlying that many people still live with criminal records related to homosexuality right now. Due to the criminal records, people couldn't pass the bar and they couldn't be in many professions, which definitely brought a negative influence to their lives (Who was at stonewall?). Even for dead people who contribute to the world, their reputation was tarnished due to their sexual orientation, such as Alan Turing.

Is this what they deserve? 

The United Kingdom used their action as the response to this question. 

In January 4th, 2022, the UK home secretary announce that "any conviction that was imposed on someone purely due to consensual homosexual activity under now-abolished laws will be included in a scheme aimed at 'righting the wrongs of the past'” (Past convictions 2022). This means people who were convicted under these now-scrapped laws can apply to wipe their criminal record without being required to disclose it.

Michael Cashman, a member of Britain's upper house of parliament, said "It's very important that the state recognises that as a country we did something that was wholly wrong and inappropriate"(Britain pardons all men). The parliament of the United Kingdom decided to righting the wrongs of the past, becuase they realize that they have duty to expunge the damage these laws have placed on the reputations of homosexuals and let these people can live without criminal records.

The action of the United Kingdom definitely help the homosexual and bisexual people who are struggleing to find job due to the criminal records to actually have ability to find job and let people rehabilitate their reputation. Also, the action spread the idea that the discrimiation against the homosexual is not acceptable.



Comparing to the other country, the United Kingdom is not the only country to wipe the records of conviction of homosexual activites. In 2008, Australia allowed to expunge past homosexual offenses; In California, LGBTQ also be pardoned (U.K. expands 'Turing's law' 2022). In addition, Germany, New Zealand, the Australian states of New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia, all have similar actions (Wright, 2018).

The situation of gay right seems great from these countries' action. However, what is the truth?

image source: https://www.fandmglobalbarometers.org/results/

In 2019, many countries in the still fail the grading of gay right, which indicates there is still a long way to go in the pursuit of gay rights. But for the most important part: people not only need to focus on the LGBTQ right present or future, but people also need to pay attention to the past.

References

Britain pardons all men convicted under historical laws that criminalised being gay. (n.d.). Retrieved February 03, 2022, from https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/britain-pardons-all-men-gay-same-sex-laws/

A history of LGBT criminalisation. (n.d.). Retrieved February 03, 2022, from https://www.humandignitytrust.org/lgbt-the-law/a-history-of-criminalisation/

Past convictions for homosexual activity to be wiped from records, Patel to announce. (2022, January 04). Retrieved February 03, 2022, from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jan/04/past-convictions-for-homosexual-activity-to-be-wiped-from-records-patel-to-announce

U.K. expands 'Turing's law' to pardon past same-sex convictions. (2022, January 05). Retrieved February 03, 2022, from https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-news/uk-expands-turings-law-pardon-sex-convictions-rcna11054

Who was at stonewall? (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/stonewall-participants/

Wright, L. (2018, April 04). New Zealand passes law to clear historical gay sex convictions. Retrieved February 03, 2022, from https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/nation-now/new-zealand-passes-law-to-clear-historical-gay-sex-convictions/465-7766658e-971f-4a0c-958d-e9f1dd694223