SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) -- South Dakota's hate crime law states that it is illegal to harass or harm someone based on their race, ethnicity, religion, ancestry or national origin. It is a class 6 felony, with a maximum punishment of two years behind bars. But crimes against people based on their sexual orientation or gender identity are not included.

"I think we've seen, probably over the last decade, there's been kind of a rise of political rhetoric, you know, targeting the queer community in South Dakota, specifically the transgender and gender diverse community," said Anna Brenden, president of Sioux Falls Pride.

One of those instances happened in September, when officers were called to a Sioux Falls neighborhood. Police say a man was yelling derogatory statements at his neighbors ba

See Full Page