A federal judge has rejected a motion to dismiss a lawsuit brought by a Ugandan gay rights group against an evangelical minister in Massachusetts.
The suit alleges Scott Lively, whose Abiding Truth Ministries is based in Springfield, conspired to persecute gays in Uganda. The plaintiffs allege Lively promoted legislation in the East African country that carried the death penalty for certain homosexual acts. Cathy Kristopherson , a gay rights activist in Springfield, praised the ruling by U.S. District Court Judge Michael Ponsor allowing the lawsuit against Lively to continue.
Lively denies he ever advocated violence against gays. His lawyer argues the lawsuit is an attack on Lively’s first amendment rights.
