Hate crime is defined as "any of various crimes (as assault or defacement of property) when motivated by hostility to the victim as a member of a group (as one based on color, creed, gender, or sexual orientation)." This is according to Merriam Webster. Thus, it can include cross burnings, spray painting epithets on someone's home or other property, assault, or even murder. What's more is that these crimes are actually increasing, or at least the reporting of hate crimes is on the rise according to This means that it's difficult to determine if the crimes themselves are increasing in numbers in the US. My goal is to inform everyone of this issue. As many people on GA are gay, lesbian, bisexual, etc. we are at higher risk of being victims of hate crimes.

Most of us may have the false impression that gay men are the most likely victims of hate crimes. However, according to the FBI website, there are more reports of hate crimes against African Americans than all hate crimes based upon sexual orientation combined. In 2007, there were 2,658 hate crimes against African Americans compared to 772 crimes against homosexual males. Jews appear to be second with 969 crimes. Of the remaining crimes, whites are the second highest for racially motivated crimes with 749 crimes, a number very similar to the number of gay men who are victims of such crimes. Thus, in our fight to curb crimes based on hate, we cannot focus solely on crimes against sexual orientation minorities. The numbers of racially motivated hate crimes are too high to ignore.

Future blogs on this topic will include: hate crimes against African Americans, hate crimes against Jews, hate crimes against GLBT people, and hate crimes against white people. I am of the belief that knowledge is power. The more we know about hate crimes, the more we can do to stop them. Through education and strong advocation, we can make a difference.

If anyone knows of any specific hate crimes that they feel is necessary for one of these future blogs, please feel free to contact me via the PM system.