Labour pioneered proposal to dispense with pre-1993 convictions for men with convictions for same-sex sexual activity to become law
Labour pioneered proposal to dispense with pre-1993 convictions for men with convictions for same-sex sexual activity to become law - The Labour Party
Labour TD Ged Nash has welcomed confirmation given to him in the Dail today by the Minister for Justice, that a system to set aside criminal convictions obtained by men with convictions for engaging in consensual same sex sexual activity, prior to Labour’s decriminalisation of homosexuality in 1993, will be legislated for in March.
The Louth TD said:
“I developed the legislation that kicked this campaign off, in 2017. The first part of the package of measures was the historic State apology to LGBT+ citizens delivered in both Houses in 2018, and the second was my proposals for an exoneration for men who were convicted of activity that is now, lawful.
“There are men with convictions on their records, people who have been unfairly criminalised because of who they are, who they loved, and when. This is wrong, and it is a source of great pride for me and my colleagues in Labour that this nine-year long campaign is coming to a successful end.
“Minister O’Callaghan has informed me that he will introduce an amendment to the Criminal Law Bill at Committee Stage in March to give effect to such a disregard scheme.
“I want to thank officials in his Department and the members of the Working Group set up after my initial legislation was accepted. I also want to pay a special tribute to activists like Kieran Rose, Karl Hayden and Brian Sheehan with whom I have worked closely on this important restorative justice measure. Their advocacy, expertise and patience over many years, was critical in getting this over the line.”