Issue
Sexual Minorities Uganda, a non-profit LGBTI advocacy organization in Uganda, brought suit against Scott Lively, an American citizen, in a U.S. federal court arguing that Lively should be held liable for his anti-LGBT advocacy in Uganda. Sexual Minorities Uganda argued that the Alien Tort Claims statute conferred jurisdiction for the U.S. court to hold Lively accountable for his active participation in a conspiracy to strip fundamental rights away from LGBTI people in Uganda.
Impact
This case will determine whether the Alien Tort Claims Statute confers jurisdiction to federal courts to enforce crimes against humanity committed by American citizens outside of the U.S.
Summary
The testimony shows that the social environment in Uganda, influenced by the nation’s Anti-Homosexuality Bill, has created barriers to healthcare for LGBT people. In addition, the inhospitable environment in Uganda has resulted in a number of stressors on LGBT people that constitute a process called minority stress. This well-documented dynamic can cause a host of mental and physical problems, a reduced sense of well-being, an increase in suicides, and in an increase in unhealthy behaviors.