advocates welcomes the news that uganda’s anti-homosexuality act has been struck down by a court ruling.  since the bill was first conceived and drafted, it has been a source of danger and sorrow to lgbt young people in uganda. the law as it stood not only made being lgbt punishable by prison, but threatened activist and educational groups that work with lgbt people. many heroic activists on the ground have continued to work for the rights and safety of lgbt ugandans, even at great personal risk.

while today’s news is hopeful, the law was invalidated on technical grounds, without reference to the human rights violations of its content. much work remains to be done to ensure that lgbt ugandans are safe and have equal protection under the law.