COLUMBIA, S.C.—More than 100 people gathered at the South Carolina Statehouse July 1 to remember Sean Kennedy—a 20-year-old gay man who died May 17, a day after being punched outside a bar in Greenville, S.C.

His family and friends say the man who punched him uttered anti-gay comments after hitting Kennedy.

The family is pushing lawmakers to increase the punishment for people committing hate crimes.

"We've got to stop the hate," said Kennedy's mother, Elke Kennedy. "Life is so precious. How could anyone think of hurting anyone because of who they are?"

Stephen Andrew Moller, 18, has been charged with murder in connection with Kennedy's death, said Greenville County sheriff's spokesman Lt. Shay Smith.

South Carolina doesn't have a law outlining punishment for someone convicted of committing a crime against someone based on the victim's race, sexual orientation, religion or other characteristics.

Rep. Seth Whipper (D-North Charleston) introduced a bill in March that would make it a felony to threaten or harass someone on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, race, religion, race, age or ethnic background, or to vandalize or destroy their property.

"It's time for a change," Elke Kennedy said. "I never thought I would be here doing this. But Sean stood up for what he believed in and I have to do the same."