Mother of slain gay man to speak at PFLAG meeting
Elke Kennedy, mother of slain South Carolina gay man Sean Kennedy, will speak at the regular meeting of Parent’s, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) on June 14 at 10 a.m.
The meeting will be at Haven Lutheran Church, 207 W. Harrison St. There is no charge and the public is invited.
Kennedy recently received the 2008 Human Rights Campaign Carolina’s Equality Award. She has started the foundation Sean’s Last Wish (www.seanslastwish.com), advocating for the fair and equal treatment of our gay and lesbian loved ones, concentrating on promoting hate crime legislation around the country as well as keeping the story of her beloved son alive.
“Salisbury/ Rowan PFLAG is proud to host Ms. Kennedy, helping her to spread the word of the importance of ENDA (Employment Non-Discrimination Act) and the Matthew Sheppard Act in ending discrimination in the workplace and in our community.” said Todd Adrian, Salisbury/ Rowan PFLAG chapter president.
Sean was killed in May 2007 in an anti-gay attack outside a Greenville bar. According to reports, Stephen Andrew Moller of Taylors, S.C., an 18-year-old at the time with a record of violence and drug use, punched Sean in the face because he was gay. The resulting fall left Sean’s brain stem separated from his brain and he died 17 hours later.
“Sean Kennedy’s senseless death reminds us that along with changing laws, we must also find ways to create dialogue and change hearts where possible”, said Mike Clawson, PFLAG NC State Coordinator.
For more information or for directions, visit www.salisbury-pflag.org or call 704-213-0181 or 704-232-4916.