2 Scott Lively 1713.jpg

In this file photo from The Republican, anti-gay activist Scott Lively (second from left with beard and trench coat) and supporters are shown arriving at U.S. District Court in Springfield for a hearing in the crimes-against-humanity case filed against him by gay and human rights organizations. On Thursday, Dec. 4, 2014, a three-judge panel of the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston denied Lively's petition to throw out the lawsuit, which will proceed in federal court. The suit alleges Lively violated U.S. law by trying to influence the laws of a foreign nation and of fanning anti-gay flames in Uganda, where his remarks to members of parliament raised the ire of human rights groups.

(JOHN SUCHOCKI / THE REPUBLICAN FILE)

BOSTON — 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.

Below is the decision of the three-judge panel: