Scott Lively, Due On Trial For “Crimes Against Humanity” Early 2016, Will Be Represented By Kim Davis’s Law Firm

But…he takes care of homeless people. And he’s a Family Man. And he is a Pastor.  And he found a way to put his life together — and then some — after 16 years of struggle. And…

He is one of the most dangerous people walking on the face of the earth today.

He’s due to go to trial near the beginning of 2016. Guess who’s representing him?

The case, filed in 2012, is expected to go to trial early next year in a U.S. district court in Massachusetts….

Lively is represented by Liberty Counsel, a Christian law firm that also represents Kim Davis, the Kentucky clerk who was recently jailed for her refusal to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

That’s right. Liberty Counsel — the hate group currently supporting Kim Davis.
And when it comes to Kim Davis herself, according to the Religion News Service, Lively complimented her “courage and commitment.”

Right. You know what takes “courage and commitment”? People who have to be in hiding from the laws Lively allegedly helped pass who, nevertheless, go on national television and speak against them.

I have posted quite a bit about Lively and his anti-gay antics, but not much concerning his upcoming trial (my bad).  Quite frankly his trial falls under an area of law - the Alien Tort Statute (ATS) - I have no knowledge of. According to the Center for Constitutional Rights (CRR):

This is the first ATS case seeking accountability for persecution on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity as a crime against humanity. The United States Supreme Court has affirmed the use of the ATS as a remedy for serious violations of international law that are widely accepted and clearly defined. Persecution is defined in international law as the "intentional and severe deprivation of fundamental rights contrary to international law by reason of the identity of the group or collectivity." Lively – a U.S.-based attorney, author, and self-described world-leading expert on the “gay movement” – has traveled to Uganda and other countries, including Russia, and played a key role in the effort to strip LGBTI people of fundamental rights, including the rights to free expression, association, and assembly.

I am sure with Liberty Counsel now at the helm of his defense, we will be hearing about how Lively is such a martyr for the Christian cause.

Scott Lively, Due On Trial For “Crimes Against Humanity” Early 2016, Will Be Represented By Kim Davis’s Law Firm

"Together We Can Achieve'."

As some of you may recall, I posted about the plight of Baguma Berges Ronnie and his fellow LGBTQ folk in Uganda.  Besides the insidious persecution by governmental elements (encouraged by cretins such as Scott Lively, Rick Warren, and the slags that run World Congress of Families), an issue that is prevalent among the LGBTQ community is homelessness. Over the course of the past two weeks I have been discussing said issue with Baguma and how he and GRAC would like to combat it.

First, GRAC is an underground resistance group committed to reversing the draconian laws put in place by Yoweri Museveni and gaining basic human rights for all Ugandans. It is a LGBTQ "group dedicated to fighting homophobia and transphobia; and bring[ing] together all LGBTQ people irrespective of color, race, creed, religion, political party, etc. We strive to promote the rights of the sex oriented persons in a homophobic environment"  GRAC's online presence began in late 2012 with the goal, "All LGBTQ people around the world unite to fight and defeat homophobia for good!"  What started as a 10 member group currently has over 500 members; locally we dont disclose their identities in the media for security reason.

As I noted in my initial post, "homelessness is a major problem affecting the LGBTQ community and here it's worse due to impoverished communities, high levels of unemployment, etc.."  I think what struck me in our conversations, was not only Baguna's dedication to this cause, but his willingness to put his neck on the line - literally.  I was hesitant in using Baguma's full name in my initial post even though the article associated had.  Our lines crossed but he posted this in response to my query, "Please go ahead and use my name as I am an activist who wants equality for LGBTQ persons and I don't mind [being] a martyr as long as the next generation gain their freedom!"

So with that in mind, Baguma filled me in on, let's call it phase one, what he and GRAC are trying to accomplish.

I do have a few questions, do you definitely have a building in mind touse for a shelter?  I know you mentioned one is available that is in your target purchase/rental,,,

We would like to rent a building in the city suburbs which can accommodate most of the members who are homeless. This idea was brought up today after meeting with the landlord and agreed on the rates per month; though this has to be done with the help of some generous donors out there.

You mention a cost of $350, is that per month and is that amount in US dollars?

That amount is for every 3 months and its in US dollars.

And this building will be used as a shelter like facility?  Are you going to be offering any other type of services - schooling, job training - or is your focus right now just on housing?  

We are going to use the building as a shelter facility. We have a vision of setting up projects like vocational training to equip people with skills for self sustainability, but that is long range.

So, what is being asked of us?  Help in securing the funds necessary and help in spreading GRAC's cause far and wide.

Questions::  ronbaguma07@gmail.com
Donation being accepted via Paypal::Baguma Ronnie c/o. mawa@godfreymawa.com
Western Union and Money Gram are also options

One final question I had for Baguma:  Besides GRAC are there other organizations also working towards the same or similar goals?  And does GRAC have a working relationship with any of them?

Sure they are there and currently we are working with TASO for HIV/AIDS

The AIDS Support Organization (TASO) was founded in Uganda 1987 by people living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHA), based on common experiences faced when encountering HIV/AIDS at a time of high stigma, ignorance, and discrimination. TASO's activities include HIV/AIDS counselling, medical care, social support, training and capacity building, HIV/AIDS education and community mobilisation, and advocacy and networking.

and Youth on the Rock Foundation!

This is a mess "we" have helped create,

A bunch of conservative Christians from US are bemoaning cultural imperialism in Africa? There's a direct connection between US missionaries working within Uganda and the writing and passing of this draconian legislation. The laws that they support are artifacts of cultural imperialism.

Or do they imagine we've all forgotten that? Or do they believe Scott Lively's work time in Uganda doesn't qualify as imperialism? Out-fucking-rageous!!

It Is also a mess we can help fix!!

A Chat with an Activist from Uganda - Proud Queer (PQ Monthly - Daily Online)

If you have followed my blog long enough you will know that one issue I follow is the Reich's exportation of hate via Scott Lively and the crew over at NOM.  Although there are many players in this game (Bryan Fischer, Liberty Counsel, Mike Bickle, World Congress of Families [1], and Rick Warren to name a few) these are in my opinion two of the major players, or the ones garnering the most attention with their vile rhetoric.  As you may recall, it began in earnest with Uganda [2], and the "Kill the Gays Bill".  It then jump to Russia and Putin's dalliance with members of the Reich.  Ireland has also been touched by the hate and it looks as if Australia is now in the cross-hairs. [3]

But through all the various postings, one thing has been missing, personal stories and experiences, that is about to change.  Like the author, I "was messaged by a gay male Ugandan who friended me on Facebook,,,[w]e began to talk regularly[4] and I realized that a lot of us don’t understand the real situation happening in Uganda." Although the authors interest in the situation in Uganda appears a bit more personal,

I found out that the president of Uganda, Yoweri Museveni, had a very close advisor that made me remember every excruciating minute of high school when (the failed) Measure 9 was being fought in Oregon. Scott Lively, for those who don’t know, was the second in command of the Oregons Citizen’s Alliance (OCA), a Focus-on-the-Family-type group and he wrote a charming little book titled, The Pink Swastika, Homosexuality and the Nazi Party.

Carroll's interview is enlightening,

The problems in Uganda are complicated and widespread—including extreme poverty (the average Ugandan makes $510 dollars a year, according to WHO, and $600 a year according to my interview subject), limited access to education (half of school age students live 5km from the nearest school and most people are on foot), skyrocketing HIV rates, and an ongoing conflict with Rwanda. Add that to the fact that according to a 2007 Pew Global Attitudes Project poll, 96% of Ugandans say they agree with punishing homosexuality, it makes for a very hostile and dangerous environment for all LGBT Ugandans.
,,,
 PQ: You have an organization, called the Gay Rights Activist Club, what are the goals for the club? What would you like to see? 
Baguma: Concerning goals for the club, GRAC, Gay Rights Activist Club, we are here to promote the rights of gays, fight homophobia, create sustainability, and provide basics like: shelter, food, and medical care for Ugandans.[5]
,,,
PQ Monthly: Is it hard to find employment as a gay person in Kampala?
Baguma: I feel it vital to tell you about gay prostitutes who are mostly found in affluent suburbs of Kampala, and their clients are mostly whites and Asian executives. Places for gays to pick up include; Buziga, Ntinda, Wandegeya, where there are cozy bars.

I'm personally looking forward to information and experiences that Baguma may be able to share.  Not only is he looking for support in attempting to house the homeless , but ideas as well to combat the hatred.

A Chat with an Activist from Uganda - Proud Queer (PQ Monthly - Daily Online)

[1]   World congress of Families as I have discovered recently is a much bigger player than I realized.
[2]   I have not yet seen the full documentary by VICE as I am attempting to obtain a copy.  As noted in my orgianl post David Badash offers a nice summary.  For another perspective to the same, see "World's Worst Place to be Gay?" (2014, BBC).
[3]  Do a bit of digging and you will find that Faust is "sponsored" by none other than Alliance Defending Freedom.
[4]  I have just recently "met" Baguma and our personal dialogue is just beginning.  And it was I that contacted him via a mutual friend who thought I may be interested.
[5]  The existence of GRAC was a point that Baguma noted as well, when in conversation, I mentioned that homelessness withing the LGBTQ community is a world wide problem.

His reply, "Sure homelessness is a major problem affecting the LGBTQ community and here it's worse due to impoverished communities, high levels of unemployment, etc.."

It appears that the plight of the homeless is an issue of concern when he sent the enclosed photo, with the following caption, "Where can you put all that number of persons as you can see."

Gays Adopt Kids 'To Train Them On Gay Practices' Says Uganda Lawmaker Pushing Anti-Gay Bill - The New Civil Rights Movement

In November of 2012, Rebecca Kadaga, the first woman Speaker of the Ugandan Parliament, promised she would pass the "Kill the Gays" bill as a "Christmas gift" for her nation's Christians. Even though the legislation had been debated since 2009, it took her another year to keep her promise, and she could only do it be illegally forcing the bill to a vote without a quorum. Her action was in fact illegal – even the President of Uganda suggested it was criminal – and the Ugandan Supreme Court struck it down.

Speaker Kadaga is back promising her people a similar "Christmas gift" again, and she's still not above dirty tricks to accomplish her mission.

Think Progress notes the new anti-gay legislation "appears to be far more repressive than the infamous Anti-Homosexuality Act, which imposed life sentences on people convicted of homosexuality." It would "outlaw 'funding for purposes of promoting unnatural sexual practices' and 'exhibiting unnatural sexual practices.' Anyone convicted of the crime could serve up to seven years in prison."

But as in Russia, the "promoting" part is the key.

Gays Adopt Kids 'To Train Them On Gay Practices' Says Uganda Lawmaker Pushing Anti-Gay Bill - The New Civil Rights Movement

Uganda Passes ‘Kill the Gays’ Bill

Some may wonder why I follow this issue,,,might have something to do with the fact that US based Christian hate groups were the impetus behind it, especially from a monetary standpoint,,,also member of congress, both democratic and republicans, involved in The Family have a hand in this,,,

Uganda Passes ‘Kill the Gays’ Bill