Former Oregon Anti-Gay Activist Loses “Crimes Against Humanity” Appeal

Lively was the spokesperson for Oregon Citizen Alliance and its efforts to pass Measure 9 in 1992, which would have amended the state constitution to “recognize homosexuality as wrong and perverse.” The measure was defeated by voters by 56-44 percent.

After Lively failed to pass any anti-gay ballot initiatives in Oregon he left the state. In 2009, Lively arrived in Uganda and helped inspire the country’s Parliament to pass a bill which called for the death penalty for homosexuals in certain cases.

In 2012, charges were filed against Lively in U.S. Federal Court by Sexual Minorities Uganda, accusing Lively of inciting persecution against gay men and lesbians in Uganda. Lively sought to have these charges dismissed, but his appeal was denied by the First Circuit Court of Appeals.

Friday’s court ruling clears the way for charges to proceed.

The lawsuit against Lively is filed by the Center for Constitutional Rights on behalf of Sexual Minorities Uganda. According to the CCR website, this is the first suit allowed by the Alien Tort Statute (ATS) “seeking accountability for persecution on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.” The ATS allows suits to be brought to U.S. courts by non-U.S. citizens.

With Sexual Minorities Uganda filing a civil case, Lively would only face a financial penalty.

Enjoy this post? Share it with others.