Elke Kennedy, mother of 20-year-old Sean Kennedy, who police said was killed after a man made a remark about Kennedy being gay, also attended the rally. She wants her son’s death to be a catalyst for strict hate crime legislation, she said.

“In my opinion, anybody that seeks somebody out because they’re different should be punished to the fullest extent,” Elke Kennedy said.

Currently, there are no hate crime provisions in South Carolina’s penalty enhancement laws. However, a bill was introduced in the House last session to amend existing laws.

 

If passed, the bill would prohibit hate crimes against any group, including discrimination based on sexual orientation.