1959 Conviction Still Haunts Gay Man Seeking Work
LONDON, ENGLAND (Associated Press) — He was convicted of a crime more than half a century ago, but what he did in 1959 — have consensual sex with another man — would be perfectly legal today.
So John Crawford, 70, wants his criminal record cleaned up for good, so that he doesn't have to disclose his conviction when he seeks volunteer work, and because of a deeply held belief that he should not be punished for his sexual orientation.
"I came into this world without a criminal record and I'd like to leave this world without one," said Crawford, a retired butler. "The police beat me and beat me and forced me to confess to being gay, but I know in my heart I did nothing wrong."
Crawford's bid to clean up his record is backed by gay organizations looking to help others who were convicted under Britain's once draconian anti-homosexuality laws, which began to be eased in 1967 as social values changed and sex acts between consenting adults began to be decriminalized.
"These laws were homophobic in the first place, that's why they were rescinded, but the laws are still penalizing people," said Deborah Gold, director of Galop, a gay rights group that has helped Crawford. "We've always had a regular trickle of people asking about it, how to get their records cleaned up."
She said Crawford suffered horrific treatment from the police and should not have to disclose his criminal conviction when seeking employment or volunteer work.
His lawyers wrote to Justice Secretary Jack Straw last week asking that the law be changed so that Crawford and others in his position would not have to disclose their convictions during the job interview process.
If no action is taken by March 12, attorneys will seek a formal judicial review because the policy is not compatible with the European Convention on Human Rights, said lawyer Anna Mazzola.
"John Crawford wants to do it, to change the law for other people," she said. "Others are in exactly the same position. The justice secretary has the power to do this, without going through Parliament."
Mazzola's firm has also filed a freedom of information request for data about the number of people convicted of consensual sexual offenses that would now be legal.
"I think there are quite a lot," she said.
Crawford's legal campaign has already been productive. In response to a letter from his lawyers, police have removed the record of his conviction from the criminal database, meaning it will not turn up during a computerized criminal records search.
"We are very sympathetic to Mr. Crawford's concerns," said a Hampshire police spokesman, who asked not to be identified under department policy. "We recognize that this is an exceptional case and have acted quickly to resolve it."
The spokesman said the conviction is no longer relevant and has been taken out of the Police National Computer database. The special ruling applies only to Crawford, however, not to other gay or bisexual men with similar offenses in their past.
This welcome decision removes one substantial obstacle Crawford faces in his retirement as he pursues voluntary positions, such as hospital work where he would be helping to feed ill people.
He is not satisfied, however, because he is still legally required to reveal the 1959 episode when asked if he has ever been convicted of any criminal offense. This happens frequently on questionnaires when applying for volunteer work with vulnerable persons.
"I think it's ridiculous," Crawford said.
His lingering anger comes in part from the humiliation he suffered at the hands of police officers in 1959. He said they abused him physically and harassed him with vulgar taunts, then coerced him into pleading guilty by threatening to continue beating him if he did not cooperate.
As a result of that plea, he said he was saddled with a conviction that would not have been possible otherwise, especially since he was not accused of having sex in public.
"I wanted to plead not guilty, and the case would have been thrown out and I wouldn't be talking about it now," Crawford said. "Until the police drop it completely, I won't be happy. I've got to be able to put my hand on my heart and say to the world, I haven't got a criminal record, and I can't say that now."
0%
Last September DJ Blake Hayes (pictured left), and cabaret and Broadway performer Danny Calvert were attacked outside of McCoy's Bar in Hell's Kitchen, along with their friend Alec Bell. They claimed a man flicked a cigarette at them while saying, "Keep moving, faggots." When the trio quipped about the man's bald head, he became enraged, physically assaulted them, and said, "Die of AIDS, you fucking queers."
Prague - One of the world's most beautiful cities attracts people from throughout Europe because they know a great party when the see one. Prague is an awesome place to play anytime and on the Big Night it literally explodes. That's because the Czechs just love fireworks. Wander in and out of the many pubs and cafes but at midnight go to Old Town Square or Charles Bridge. Climb the hill to the Prague Castle or the "Stalin statue," where the fireworks are launched for an overview of the whole crazy scene. Prague is unbelievably inexpensive; your crowns go a long. long way. Czech it out! 
The United Kingdom's first tourism center catering specifically to gay visitors has opened in London in the Leicester Square are u
Homophobic crime in London has risen by nearly a fifth, according to the latest figures on incidents reported to the Metropolitan Police (Met).
A man accused of murdering his former lover by pouring gasoline over his head and then setting him on fire has told a jury he is innocent in a London, England court. Nadim Kurrimbukus, 25, and a second man, Yusuf Dulloo, 27, are charged with murdering Charlie Davies (pictured left).
A gay London, England man accused of killing his ex-boyfriend by setting him on fire texted his friend: “I have to do it tonight,” the morning before the attack, a London court has heard this past week.
The late Diana, Princess of Wales, and former South African President Nelson Mandela are two of the personalities identified as “Gay Icons” in an exhibition bearing that title that will open in July in London, England at the National Portrait Gallery. US actor Joe Dallesandro appeared in several of Andy Warhol's films and is shown here to the left.
For days rumors have circulated that Michael Jackson was startin' somethin'. And Thursday afternoon, before a couple of thousand screaming fans at London's 02 arena, the King of Pop revealed what has been referred to as "the worst kept secret in the world". Namely, a 10-concert residency beginning July 8 — his first full tour in 12 years. 
London, England brings in the new year. There is no reason,” said Mike McCann, the man in charge of Big Ben, as he made his way down the 334 steps from the belfry at the top of the tower, “why it should not last forever.” As the world’s most famous timepiece celebrates its 150th anniversary, that is a forthright statement of faith in a masterpiece of Victorian engineering that was deemed so ambitious at the time of its inception that many clockmakers thought it could never be built. 
