A lawsuit by Sexual Minorities Uganda, an LGBT advocacy group,
alleges that Lively conspired with Ugandan religious and political
leaders since 2002 to strip gays of their rights in that country that
has resulted in housing and employment discrimination, arrest, torture
and the murder of gays and lesbians. The case, filed in 2012, is
expected to go to trial early next year in a U.S. district court in
Massachusetts. If convicted, Lively could face a fine.
“He’s very clear that you have to silence LGBT people and eradicate
them politically,” said Pam Spees, an attorney with the Center for
Constitutional Rights, a New York-based nonprofit that is representing
the Ugandan advocacy group in the case.
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Sexual Minorities Uganda and the Center for Constitutional Rights
contend that Lively’s presentations in workshops in 2009 and 2012
influenced a 2013 Uganda law, which initially called for life in prison
for people who engage in same-sex relations. Later the law was revised to also punish individuals or groups that support gays. After
international outrage, the constitutional court in Uganda overturned
the law in August 2014 on a technicality, but lawmakers have said they
will revive the bill.
Critics say another proposed law, which seeks to restrict nonprofits
from operating in Uganda, could also be used to outlaw groups working
with LGBT people.
“The situation there is very fraught and perilous,” Spees said.
“There are so many violations happening in Uganda, and people are
suffering. This case is part of a larger effort to keep it from getting
worse.”
Mass. pastor Scott Lively faces possible fine for harsh anti-gay efforts in Uganda - Religion News Service
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