Ugandan Anti-Gay Law Struck Down; FNUR Continues Work to Support LGBTQ Ugandans

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Supporters of LGBTQ people in Uganda were hesitant to celebrate Friday’s invalidation of the country’s infamous anti-gay legislation. Often cited as the harshest law against LGBTQ people in the world, the Ugandan Anti-Homosexuality Act of February 2014 threatened life in prison to anyone found engaging in consensual same-gender sex, LGBT advocacy, or even failure to report alleged homosexuals. For many, the victory was not a clear one as the law was struck on a technicality—parliament passed it without proper quorum.

The Friends New Underground Railroad (FNUR), an Olympia, Washington-based NGO that seeks to aid LGBTQ Ugandans fleeing their country, stated their concern in a Facebook post soon after the court’s decision:

We imagine that the ruling will either be appealed (and thus remain in place until the entire legal process of appeal is exhausted) or the government will draft a new, similar law.

The post also noted that multiple anti-gay rallies were staged and one lawmaker had already appealed the ruling. Affirming their resolve to continue, the FNUR said:

The effort will continue for as long as there is a threat to the imminent health and well-being of #LGBT Ugandans and as long as the Ugandans operating this railroad request our support.

Rainbow Street stands in solidarity with LGBTQ Ugandans and those working actively to support them in this time of political uncertainty.

Follow the efforts of the FNUR on its Facebook page. Click here to support their vital efforts.