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Gay Convictions Could Be Eliminated From Records Following Government Plans (6 October 2011)

Date: 06/10/2011
Duncan Lewis, Legal News Solicitors, Gay Convictions Could Be Eliminated From Records Following Government Plans

Individuals convicted of homosexual crimes may soon be able to apply to have their convictions removed from their records under new Government plans to tackle discrimination. In excess of 16,000 convictions for crimes relating to consensual gay sex could be eliminated from police computers, following a fierce campaign by gay rights group, Stonewall.

Ben Summerskill, Stonewall’s chief executive officer, said that the group had campaigned hard for the historic convictions to be wiped from records. Mr. Summerskill claims that the convictions were not only unfair but dissuaded many from applying for jobs or volunteering due to the requirement of applicants to undergo a criminal records check. Consensual gay sex for the over-21s was legalised in England and Wales in 1967. In 1994, the age limit was reduced to 18, and in 2000, it was reduced to 16. Yet thousands of men have been left with a criminal record for convictions relating to crimes that no longer exist.

Under the new proposals, men previously convicted for consensual gay sex with over-16s will be free to request that their local chief constable remove the conviction from their record. The moves follows an announcement that same-sex couples applying for passports for their children will be free to describe themselves as “parent 1” and “parent 2”, as opposed to “mother” and “father”.

Duncan Lewis’ knowledgeable team of criminal law solicitors can offer support to individuals with convictions for crimes that no longer exist still on record. The department prides itself on providing a professional service to clients across the UK.

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