Spanish parliament expresses support for gays persecuted under Franco

The Spanish parliament on Wednesday formally recognized the suffering of gays jailed and persecuted under the fascist regime of late dictator Gen. Francisco Franco. To the applause of deputies, parliament president Manuel Marin read a statement saying the chamber recognizes the suffering of homosexuals during Franco's years and offered them support and moral recognition. Hundreds of gay men and women were jailed in two "sexual reeducation" centers in Spain during Franco's reign, which lasted from the end of the Spanish Civil War in 1939 to his death in 1975. Marin pointed out that many were not released until 1979, two years after a general amnesty had been introduced.