Occupy Human Rights - candlelight vigil

Last evening, Occupy Greenville celebrated GLBT pride month with a candlelight vigil commemorating all who have been victims of violence, intolerance and bullying. (In first photo, third from left, is Deb Morrow, 4th District candidate for US congress.) We had about 25-30 participants, including high school students from Eastside High school.

In the last photo, the group is being addressed by organizer Abigail LeCompte.

Not surprisingly, we attracted some spirited hecklers, including one rather obsessed individual who went away to fetch religious tracts and then brought them back, presenting them with a dramatic flourish--all while yelling that he would pray for all of us. (Um, okay.) At one point, the exchange became rather heated, as another person who happened to be passing by told him (not us!) to shut up and stood there and made fun of him at some length. Hey, Greenville is changing!

But of course, not fast enough for me.

Thanks to everyone who showed up. I love you all!

You can click to enlarge. More photos HERE!

Sean Kennedy

We remember Sean Kennedy, murdered a mile from where I am sitting, just last month.

Vigil For Slain Gay Man Pushes For Hate Crime Law
Mon Jun 4, 3:19 PM ET

A candlelight vigil in Greenville was held to remember an openly gay man who friends say was a victim of a hate crime, and to push for legislation in South Carolina to prevent such crimes.

Friends of 20-year-old Sean Kennedy held the vigil Sunday evening. Kennedy died last month after being punched outside of Brews on Pelham Road.

Organizers wanted the vigil to draw attention to hate crime bills before the state Legislature and U.S. Congress. The bills would provide protection for people based on their gender, sexual orientation or disability.

The Rev. Donna Stroud, pastor of Metropolitan Community Church of the Upstate, said, "It's not a matter of giving special rights -- it's a matter of equal rights and protection under the law so that people won't have to be afraid of being who they are."

Stephen Andrew Moller, 18, is charged with murder in connection with Kennedy's death.

Greenville County deputies said that Moller made a comment about Kennedy's sexual orientation before punching him. His death is being investigated as a hate crime, but there is no law on the book that currently deals with the prosecution of hate crimes.

Sean's mother, Elke Kennedy, said, "Somebody hated Sean for being gay. Somebody punched Sean and ultimately killed him. That's not what we should do. Jesus said you should love and we should not judge."

From Upstate equality:

Sean was born on April 8, 1987 in Charleston, SC. As the youngest of three children, it was obvious from the beginning that he held the potential to be something great. Even as a child, he had an irresistible smile to go with the personality big enough to light up any room. He was never judging, and accepted from all walks of life. Sean was a simple person who left footprints in the hearts of everyone he touched, just one of his many gifts.

One of Sean's last gifts was the "gift of life". By donating his vital organs, Sean helped save the lives of six people..

Also see: Roxanne Walker.