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Turing Complete Turing Complete
(17 days later)
So that's it then. Nearly sixty years after he apparently poisoned himself - the result of years of tortures and torments inflicted on him by the British state - Alan Turing has been pardoned of the crime of 'gross indecency', a mid-20th century synonym for 'being gay'. So that's it then. Nearly sixty years after he apparently poisoned himself - the result of years of tortures and torments inflicted on him by the British state – Alan Turing has been pardoned of the crime of "gross indecency", a mid-20th century synonym for "being gay".
No less a figure than Her Majesty the Queen has cast her eye over his deviant behaviour, prompted by a Coalition government surely destined to acquire the prefix 'Rainbow' in the annals of British history, and she has gracefully chosen to forgive him for the 'crime' of homosexuality. After all, he was a war hero. No less a figure than Her Majesty the Queen has cast her eye over his deviant behaviour, prompted by a Coalition government surely destined to acquire the prefix "Rainbow" in the annals of British history, and she has gracefully chosen to forgive him for the "crime" of homosexuality. After all, he was a war hero.
The pardon will have a dramatic impact on a man who has been dead for two generations. Until recently, his reputation had been in tatters, scorned by the British public, his role as a WWII code-breaking genius largely overlooked. The Tories' support will reinstate him at the heart of British history, a remarkable turn around in his fortunes. The pardon will have a dramatic impact on a man who has been dead for two generations. Until recently, his reputation had been in tatters, scorned by the British public, his role as a second world war code-breaking genius largely overlooked. The Tories' support will reinstate him at the heart of British history, a remarkable turn around in his fortunes.
Now, Turing can rest easily in his grave, content that to all intents and purposes it is as if the chemical castration, persecution and conviction he endured never happened. And all this thanks to a Secretary of State for Justice, who until recently could be heard suggesting that business should be allowed to turn away gay couples - a remarkable U-turn.Now, Turing can rest easily in his grave, content that to all intents and purposes it is as if the chemical castration, persecution and conviction he endured never happened. And all this thanks to a Secretary of State for Justice, who until recently could be heard suggesting that business should be allowed to turn away gay couples - a remarkable U-turn.
Then there are the tens of thousands of others who were convicted under the same law, victims of the same grotesque hyper-justice. They haven't received pardons because they weren't popular or successful enough; but perhaps Turing's example will motivate those still alive – and the gays of the future – to try a bit harder, to achieve more with their lives in the hope that if they do enough good in the world then they too can be forgiven by a Tory minister and a hereditary Monarch. Then there are the tens of thousands of others who were convicted under the same law, victims of the same grotesque hyper-justice. They haven't received pardons because they weren't popular or successful enough; but perhaps Turing's example will motivate those still alive – and the gays of the future – to try a bit harder, to achieve more with their lives in the hope that if they do enough good in the world then they too can be forgiven by a Tory minister and a hereditary monarch.
So, gays of the United Kingdom rejoice… well, assuming you're deemed old enough to be allowed to read this news by Cameron's porn filters (they're for your own protection, you understand). Your prayers have been answered! Discrimination is over! All hail the British government!So, gays of the United Kingdom rejoice… well, assuming you're deemed old enough to be allowed to read this news by Cameron's porn filters (they're for your own protection, you understand). Your prayers have been answered! Discrimination is over! All hail the British government!
Except... I cant help but feel a nagging doubt about this move. Does this outbreak of festive forgiveness go far enough? With the rehabilitation of Turing complete, what about the real victims in all of this, the poor British government, still paying for the sins of their grandfathers? Perhaps it's time to revisit Graying's support of homophobic small businesses, the chancellor's taunts of 'pantomime dame' at a gay colleague, or the likes of Dominic Raab MP denying that homophobia even exists at all, and weigh them against the good these people have done. Then, in 2014, we can campaign for the government to receive its own pardon from the gay community. Except … I cant help but feel a nagging doubt about this move. Does this outbreak of festive forgiveness go far enough? With the rehabilitation of Turing complete, what about the real victims in all of this, the poor British government, still paying for the sins of their grandfathers? Perhaps it's time to revisit Chris Grayling's support of homophobic small businesses, the chancellor's taunts of "pantomime dame" at a gay colleague, or the likes of Dominic Raab MP denying that homophobia even exists at all, and weigh them against the good these people have done. Then, in 2014, we can campaign for the government to receive its own pardon from the gay community.
After all, they've more than made up for these and other sins with their belated forgiveness of a gay corpse.After all, they've more than made up for these and other sins with their belated forgiveness of a gay corpse.
@mjrobbins@mjrobbins
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