Because most of the reporting on Alan Turing's work is posthumous, it's understandable that his queer legacy is as well. He wasn't necessarily an activist, but him being gay ultimately spurred some real change such as the "Turing Law." He was arrested in 1952 for gross indecency with another man and pleaded guilty. Arnold Murray, the 19-year-old man from Manchester who Turing had homosexual relations with, was given a conditional discharge, meaning he escaped jail on certain circumstances. Turing, however, was sentenced to chemical castration and was forced to take estrogen in order to reduce his libido. This is a harsh punishment that relates back to what we discussed in a previous unit about early queer resistance and queer life. Turing endured this pharmacological abuse because of the British government's rejection of homosexuality. In today's society, we are much more inclusive and less discriminatory towards gay men than mid 1900s London. So, while Turing wasn't necessarily an activist during his time alive, it makes sense that when we look back at his work, we usually attach his identity to it as part of his legacy. Most articles remembering Turing are part of some sort of "LGBTQ" section or series to honor both his contributions and sexuality.

Alan Turing's legacy teaches us that a historical figure like himself can be celebrated for everything he achieved in his lifetime, despite the discrimination he experienced back then. Not only was he known for his genius accomplishments in computer science and codebreaking, but his gay identity made lasting impressions in society and the British government. By creating the foundations of modern computing, his work has inspired many people in the technological industry. By getting arrested for being gay, he has also inspired many people who are queer.