GREENVILLE, S.C. -- A group that believes hatred of gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgendered people is rooted in religion made a stop in Greenville.

Faith In America is a national organization based in Raleigh, N.C. It believes that people misuse religious teachings to further discrimination and hatred of gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgendered people.

The group kicked off its “Call To Courage” campaign near the scene of an alleged hate crime on Monday morning.

Twenty-year-old Sean Kennedy was killed in the parking lot of a bar formerly called Brews on May 16. Deputies said Kennedy was punched in the face by Stephen Moeller because Kennedy was gay. The punch led to Kennedy’s death, deputies said.

Kennedy’s family and friends call his killing a hate crime, and Faith In America planned its stop after Kennedy’s death.

The group said in an effort to promote understanding and tolerance, it has taken out full page ads in local newspapers asking readers to stop bigotry. The group will also place signs all over Greenville to forward their ideals.

The group will also hold a public town meeting to discuss the issue on Nov. 13.

For more information on Faith In America, visit faithinamerica.info.