British men convicted of homosexual offences pre-1967 can clear record

[xchrom]

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/world/2012/1002/1224324726220.html

THOUSANDS OF elderly British men convicted of homosexual offences before homosexuality was decriminalised in 1967 will be able to have their criminal records erased under new legislation promised before the 2010 general election by Conservative leader and prime minister David Cameron.

Under the Protection of Freedoms Act, gay or bisexual men convicted before 1967 of gross indecency or consensual gay sex with over-16 year olds, or of “loitering with intent” under section 4 of the Vagrancy Act 1824 – the offence often used by police when evidence of sexual relations did not exist – will be able to apply.

The age of consent for legal homosexual sex – set at 21 in 1967 – was reduced in 1994 to 18, and six years later reduced to 16.

However, the legal change was not made retrospective, leaving nearly 20,000 men with criminal convictions for actions that would not be offences today.

[William769]

1. Good!

Righting the wrongs of the past is always a good thing.

[dickthegrouch]

2. Wonderful news /nt

[closeupready]

3. Amazing how fast things have changed since Margaret Thatcher's era.

The UK is so very progressive now on GLBT issues, compared with the US - we are still quite superstitious and medieval in comparison. K&R