Summary
Liz Stead, a 78-year-old woman, recently found out she had a criminal record for 56 years due to being a lesbian in the military, something she was never informed about. After being dismissed from the RAF in 1969, her record was finally cleared in 2023 when she applied for a government pardon. The UK's Disregards and Pardons Scheme now includes women and former military personnel affected by past laws against homosexuality.
Key Facts
- Liz Stead discovered she had a criminal record when applying for financial support for veterans sacked due to bans on homosexuality in the forces.
- She was dismissed from the RAF in 1969 after a love letter from her girlfriend was found.
- Her criminal record stemmed from "perceived same-sex sexual activity."
- Liz's conviction was overturned in 2023 under the expanded Disregards and Pardons Scheme.
- The scheme, expanded in 2023, allows people with past convictions for consensual same-sex activities to have their records cleared.
- Since the expansion, 40 individuals, mostly former military personnel, have received pardons.
- Homosexuality was decriminalized in the UK armed forces in 2000 following a ruling from the European Court of Human Rights.
- Liz encourages others who faced similar issues to apply for pardons to check for any unknown convictions.
