Network Director Brett Bursey was invited to be part of a panel discussion on hate crime legislation at AFFA’s program meeting last night at the Renaissance Hotel in Charleston. Also on the panel were the primary sponsors of South Carolina hate crime bills – Charleston Democrats Sen. Robert Ford and Rep. Seth Whipper – and Elke Kennedy, whose son died in May after being beaten, apparently for being gay. An 18-year-old is being held on murder charges in a Greenville jail.
Kennedy talked about her son and described him as a leader who, had he lived, would have worked to advance civil rights. She is now doing that work on his behalf, speaking out about hate crimes and pushing for just legal protection. See more at Sean’s Last Wish www.seanslastwish.com.