The Irish Government has moved to disregard historical criminal convictions related to consensual sex between men
Historical convictions for consensual sexual behaviour between males will be disregarded by the Irish government.
Homosexuality was decriminalised in the Republic of Ireland in 1993, with at least 941 males previously convicted of charges.
On Tuesday, RTÉ reported that plans to pass legislation prohibiting conversion therapy were also unveiled.
The new measures were announced at a meeting with LGBTQI+ organisations held at government facilities during Pride Week.
The Department of Justice formed a working committee to investigate the matter.
Men convicted of abolished gay sex offences in Northern Ireland can already apply for a pardon and have their record cleared.
The law, which was passed by the assembly in 2016, went into effect in 2018.
Northern Ireland lawmakers approved a nonbinding motion calling for a ban on conversion therapy “in all its forms” in 2021, but no legislation has been passed.
“Today marks an important moment in our efforts to exonerate those impacted by these outdated laws and address some of the lingering harms of the past,” Irish Justice Minister Helen McEntee said.
“While we cannot undo the harm done to people who were discriminated against simply for being themselves, I do hope that today’s report brings us closer to addressing the harm done to generations of gay and bisexual men.”
Roderic O’Gorman, Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration, and Youth, also affirmed that conversion therapies will be prohibited.
He stated that the new law will concentrate on damaging practises rather than conversations between parents and their children about sexual orientation or gender identity.
He stated to the Dáil that conversion therapies were “cruel practises rooted in shame”.
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