Uganda's Constitutional Court has struck down the infamous anti-LGBT law, once dubbed the "kill the gays" bill for discussion about the death penalty for LGBT people. The court ruled that the law was invalid because it was passed without a proper quorum in the legislature.
The ruling nullified the possibility of life imprisonment for "aggravated homosexuality" or up to ten years in prison for those who provide aid or assistance to LGBT people, for the moment. Since the ruling was about how the law was passed, there may be a push to pass the law under a quorum. However, the law that passed in December was considered for four years before passage, and international pressure has mounted on Uganda since its passage.
The ruling will also not likely to affect the levels of violence faced by the LGBT community in Uganda. Since before the law's passage, attacks against LGBT Ugandans has been on the rise. Additionally, places that provide HIV-related services have come under attack, raising the levels of HIV in the country.
Uganda's former law still makes being LGBT illegal, but the levels of punishment are not as severe.
Ugandan LGBT advocates tweeted out their excitement:
Breaking news , I am officially legal . The constitutional court in Uganda has declared anti homosexuality law 2014 null and void
— Dr. Frank Mugisha (@frankmugisha) August 1, 2014
FINAL JUDGEMENT: Iam nolonger http://t.co/ekOD5G8eQO we have made history for generations to come.speak OUT now. #AHA scraped.EXCRUCIATING.
— Kasha Jacqueline (@KashaJacqueline) August 1, 2014
GLAAD will continue to advocate to the media to cover the situation of LGBT people in Uganda and the fate of the bill.