The announcement extends a programme launched a decade ago that granted pardons to gay men convicted of “buggery”, “gross indecency” and “sodomy”.
It will now cover all other convictions related to consensual same-sex sexual activity. Home Secretary Priti Patel said the move was aimed at “righting the wrongs of the past”. “It is only right that where offences have been abolished, convictions for consensual activity between same-sex partners should be disregarded too,” Patel added in a statement.
Britain has taken a series of steps recently to address past discrimination against LGBTQ+ people, including last year allowing dismissed gay armed forces members to apply to have medals returned.