Have you ever heard the story of Alan Turring? The young British man who single-handedly broke the "Nazi Code" and speculated by scholars to have shortened the war by 2 years? No? Probably because none of this young man's amazing deeds could protect him from the "Gross Indecency" law in Great Britain at the time. He was a lucky man because he got off with a pass as he was allowed to take estrogen to help deter his "perversion". This was followed up by a suicide to a Cyanide laced Apple. A man who could possibly be responsible for saving millions of lives.
Luckily, we are progressing in our "Liberal Western Societies", as Alan Turring and over 15,000 other gentlemen who were prosecuted for gross indecency were pardoned this past Wednesday, under the Alan Turring Law.
It's a bitter sweet victory because, well... it implies that there was a crime committed in the first place. Although, it is a step in the right direction, the verbiage of this pardon leaves something to be desired.
A historical moment that everyone should celebrate but we all have a tendency of ignoring our homosexual brothers' and sisters' struggle...
Why? I believe we, as an individualized culture, fail to realize that any oppression is oppression that should be extinguished, regardless of how impactful it is or isn't towards your life. Following the legalization of homosexual relationships in the 60's, it has taken over 50 years to pardon innocent men. It's partly a fault of ours to ignore the struggles that aren't ours and has slowed the process of acceptance of those different from our cultural norms.
I am so happy for those men long ago that had to be ostracized for a personal and completely natural preference. I'm happy that governments are recognizing the errors of their past. An I'm excited for the future TOTAL acceptance of everyone we share this world with.
Alan Turring, an incredible historical man, has impacted the world years into the future. Well after his impact in World War II, we have the honor of feeling his impact in the present through the Alan Turring Law.
History is being made every day.
- Jon
