My husband and I recently watched “The Imitation Game,” a 2014 historical film about Alan Turing, a computer scientist/mathematician who was instrumental in cracking Nazi Germany’s codes during World War II. His work played a crucial role in helping the Allies win the war and saving millions of lives. It was a fine film, with an amazing performance by Benedict Cumberbatch. But I walked away feeling infuriated, a feeling I have been unable to shake for a few days.
The anger came in learning that Turing was convicted of gross indecency after acknowledging a sexual relationship with another man. Homosexuality was illegal in Britain in the early 1950s. He was forced to choose between a two-year jail sentence or chemical castration. He chose the latter, which eventually rendered him impotent and chronically ill. His security clearance was revoked, and he could not continue his work with cryptology. He committed suicide at the age of 41.
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Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.