America's Equality Forum organisation is requesting that Alan Turing be posthumously knighted for his efforts during World War II.
"Alan
Turing is one of the most important figures of the 20th century,"
Malcolm Lazin, executive director of Equality Forum, told Advocate.com. "Despite his exceptional accomplishments,
homophobia castrated him and led to his suicide. More than an apology
is required. Alan Turing deserves to be posthumously knighted by the
Queen."
Having cracked the German enigma code, he was instrumental in ending the second world war early. Despite this, British government chemically castrated him because of his homosexuality.
The new plea comes just weeks after Prime Minister Gordon Brown apologised on the government's behalf. "While
Turing was dealt with under the law of the time and we can't put the
clock back, his treatment was of course utterly unfair and I am pleased
to have the chance to say how deeply sorry I and we all are for what
happened to him," Brown said.
He said Turing deserved recognition for his contribution to humankind.
In the statement he said: "So on behalf of the British government, and
all those who live freely thanks to Alan's work I am very proud to say:
we're sorry, you deserved so much better."