Crimes of violence motivated by hatred based on race, religion, ethnicity, gender, or sexual orientation have always been a part of the American political landscape. At various times legislative efforts have been made to address the problem, such as...

Criminal acts that are intended to harm or intimidate people because of their race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, or other minority group...

Crimes committed by hate groups or offenders and those committed by terrorist groups are often very similar, both in method and in effect. For example, a person acting from a motive of religious bias might use an incendiary device (one that causes...

Racism · Sexism · Ageism Religious intolerance ·...

A list of resources is provided to assist journalists in locating experts in the field of hate crimes. Contacts include authors that have written about hate crime law, training in police departments, and demographics contributions to hate crimes. Contacts are also given for civil...

Hate crime in the US is a controversial area. Many people favour the expension of hate crime legislation to try and decrease the incidence of racisim and prejudice. Existing legislation lacks clear definition of what constitutes a hate crime and law enforcers can find...

The House voted Thursday to expand federal hate crime categories to include violent attacks against gays and people targeted because of gender, acting just hours after the White House threatened a veto.The legislation, passed 237-180, also would make it easier for federal law enforcement to...

Congress has dropped legislation that would have expanded laws against hate crimes to include attacks on gays after it became clear the measure wouldn't pass the House, aides said Thursday.The bill, sponsored by Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., was widely supported by Democrats and some moderate...

Two bicyclists were riding down a country road in Wyoming in early October 1998 when they noticed what appeared to be a scarecrow tied spread-eagle to a split-rail fence. Upon further investigation, they discovered that the scarecrow was actually a...

On the night of February 19, 1999, in Sylacuaga, Alabama, Steve Mullins asked his friend Charles Butler to help him kill an acquaintance named Billy Jack Gaither. Butler agreed and watched Mullins beat Gaither with an ax handle and burn his body on top...

Defines hate crimes as violence motivated by bias against the victims personal characteristics including race, religion, ethnic background, national origin, gender, or sexual orientation. Examines how the legislation of bias related crime has been one of the most controversial issues dating back to the nineteenth century since the founding of the Ku Klux Klan.

Questions if hate crimes need special laws. Provides the details of a case involving a hate crime. Contends that murder is, by definition, a hate crime.

Gives three examples of and defines "hate crimes."