By Gregory Katz
LONDON (AP) --Oscar-nominated actor Benedict Cumberbatch has joined others in calling for the British government to pardon gay and bisexual men convicted in the past under the defunct "gross indecency" law.
Their letter published Saturday in the Guardian praises the government for the 2013 pardon of World War II code breaker Alan Turing, whom Cumberbatch portrays in the movie "The Imitation Game."
Turing, who played a vital role in breaking the German wartime code, was praised by Winston Churchill as having made "the single biggest contribution" to the Allied victory in World War II.
But Turing, a gay man in an era when homosexuality was illegal, was convicted of gross indecency in 1952 and committed suicide two years later.
These events are at the core of "The Imitation Game," which chronicles the role Turing played in cracking the Germans' "Enigma" code machine. It has been nominated for eight Academy Awards, including best picture and best actor for Cumberbatch's performance.
Turing was pardoned by Queen Elizabeth II at the recommendation of the government, but the letter points out that 49,000 other men convicted under the same law also merit pardons.
"The UK's homophobic laws made the lives of generations of gay and bisexual men intolerable," the letter said.
The letter was also signed by Rachel Barnes, Turing's niece; Morten Tyldum, director of "The Imitation Game," actor Stephen Fry and longtime rights campaigner Peter Tatchell.
The letter calls on Prince William, his wife Kate and other "young leaders of today" to take steps to pardon all of the men, including an estimated 15,000 thought to still be alive.
A spokesman for the royal couple said they wouldn't make any public comment on the issue because it's a government matter.
Thousands have signed an online petition calling for mass pardons.
“Scandal” cast will reunite for online script reading for hurricane relief in western North Carolina
The cast of ABC's hit political drama "Scandal" may need to brush up on their snappy, speedy delivery known as "Scandal-pace," because they're reuniting for a good cause. Its stars including Kerry Washington, Tony Goldwyn and Bellamy Young will take part in a live virtual script reading on Nov. 17 to raise money for hurricane relief in western North Carolina.
Beginning Friday, fans can go online and donate to reserve a spot for the online reading. Proceeds will benefit United Way of North Carolina. Everyone who donates will be able to take part in a virtual pre-event with the cast and Shonda Rhimes will give an introduction.
Additional guest stars will also be announced. The online fundraising platform Prizeo is also holding a contest where one person who donates online via their site will be selected to read a role from the script with the actors. The winner should not worry about the "Scandal"-pace, assured Young over Zoom.
"Whomever the lucky reader is can read at whatever pace they want," she said.
Young, who played Mellie Young, the first lady and later Republican presidential nominee on "Scandal," was born and raised in Asheville, North Carolina. She came up with the idea for the effort with a friend and took it to her fellow "Scandal" actors, who all jumped on board. Young said this is the first script reading the cast has all done together since the show ended after seven seasons in 2018.
Which episode they will be reading has not been announced yet.
Young said it's "been devastating" to see so many parts of her hometown badly damaged by Hurricane Helene, which ravaged western North Carolina one month ago.
To research the best use for donations, Young spoke with numerous political leaders, including North... Read More