Sean Kennedy‘s family isn’t taking the 20-year old’s death lying down. The South Carolina homo died after being punched by a man identified as 18-year old Stephen Andrew Moller. Police are unsure whether Moller will be charged with murder or if he’ll face the music to the tune of a hate crime. Kennedy’s kin hope the latter.
In light of their third child’s death, Kennedy’s parents are setting up “Sean’s Last Wish” through which they’ll push for hate crime legislation, something they believe Kennedy would want.
While cleaning out her youngest son’s belongings, Elke Parker came across a number of poems, including one called “Grin”:
I stand tall with all of my pride. You hate. You discriminate all who are not like you. Yes, your words do hurt. But I stand in the end. I’m a strong person, bigger than you… I’ll be standing there with a grin.
Of her discovery, Parker – who always supported Kennedy’s homosexuality – said, “I didn’t know I had a poet.”
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Michael
I hope that Sean’s family finds peace and solace in his life and his poems…and in that beautiful smile…..his poem made me cry….but his life and light shall live on.
I pray for the day when we have at least hate crimes legislation as the law of the land….at least at the federal level and at the state level in all states.
I hope that Sean’s light and smile and grace and humanity shine through so that his dreams and good works become reality so that there are protections to prevent future deaths and harm to us simply for being born Gay and/or a person of color and/or due to one’s gender and/or gender identity.
Paul Raposo
Where can we send support for Sean’s family?
stephen
I saved that poem it was beutifull.
Kank
Obviously this is an abhorant act, and I feel for the family, but it’s not right for Queerty or any other media organisation to label someone as a murderer before the suspect has even been charged, let alone tried.
Jeremy Lockaby
Sean’s death is a wake up call for gay people everywhere. It breaks my heart that hate from one person could come to this. Sean’s courage has extended to myself and many others. My love, prayers and support goes to his family.
Jeremy Lockaby
Sean’s death is a wake up call for gay people everywhere. It breaks my heart that hate from one person could come to this. Sean’s courage has extended to myself and many others. My love, prayers and support goes to his family.
southerncharm
My heart and prayers are with Sean’s family. I’m sure his life brightened all those who knew him. Until we open our hearts and minds and stop being biggots we will not know the true meaning of his poem “Grin”.