A rainbow flag flies with the Union flag above British Cabinet Offices. Thousands of gay and bisexual men convicted under Britain's now-defunct sexual offense laws will be posthumously pardoned. The Ministry of Justice announced the proposed amendment Thursday that would posthumously pardon thousands convicted under those outdated laws. The so-called "Turing's Law" would also allow those who are living to apply to have their names removed from criminal records. Lord John Sharkey, the man behind the amendment, called the development "momentous" and said that of the 65,000 men convicted under the laws, 15,000 are still alive, BBC reported.

Thousands of gay and bisexual men convicted of now-abolished sexual offences will be pardoned by the UK government, the Ministry of Justice has announced. SEE ALSO: Thousands of gay men could finally be pardoned for historical'offences' The law has been dubbed the "Alan Turing Law," named after World War II Enigma code breaker who was prosecuted for "gross indecency" in 1952 for having a same-sex relationship, when homosexuality was illegal in the UK. Under the new law, people convicted for consensual same-sex relationships when homosexuality was illegal will be formally pardoned. People convicted of "gross indecency" can apply through the Home Office to have their names cleared through something called the "disregard process." The law will posthumously pardon 59,000 men convicted of the charge who have since died, and the 16,000 men still living can apply for the disregard process.