The crimes-against-humanity lawsuit filed against anti-LGBTQ activist Scott Lively will proceed after a federal appeals court denied his petition to dismiss the complaint, which alleges the Springfield resident violated U.S. law by trying to influence the laws of a foreign country.
On Thursday, a three-judge panel of the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston ruled against Lively, president and pastor of Abiding Truth Ministries, a vehemently anti-gay ministry known for its opposition to LGBTQ rights. The denial means the lawsuit accusing Lively of fanning anti-gay flames in the East African nation of Uganda, among other things, will proceed in federal court.
The suit was filed by lawyers for the human rights groups Sexual Minorities Uganda and the Center for Constitutional Rights.
Lively had asked the 1st Circuit panel to dismiss the suit via a writ of mandamus – a writ issued by a superior court commanding the performance of a specified official act or duty – but the judges denied the petition.
The suit alleges Lively encouraged government-backed acts of violence against gays in Uganda as a result of his anti-gay rhetoric, specifically remarks he made when addressing members of the nation's parliament in 2009.
Let's hope it doesn't stop with Scott Lively. Basically anybody who has tried to influence in a foreign country out to be liable to prosecution under this law, including John McCain. Especially if that person seeking influence has helped parties who use violence.
ReplyDeleteI personally have nothing to say or do in favour of or against gays as long as they do not cause harm because of their being gays.
ReplyDeleteBut this scoundrel of a pastor certainly deserves the death penalty.