Hoylman report examines spike in hate crimes
By Matthew Dondiego
Following a series of anti-Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered attacks, state Senator Brad Hoylman has released a report on New York's hate crime laws. The detailed report reveals anti-LGBT hate crimes have increased in each of the last three years and its author is urging fellow lawmakers to reform its handling of hate crimes and discriminatory attacks.
According to the report, 19.5 percent of hate crimes are now based on a victim's sexual orientation — the third largest targeted demographic behind religion and race; at 45.8 percent and 32.9 percent respectively. In 2012 there was a reported 470 incidents involving anti-LGBT attack victims, up from 398 in 2010.
"It has been a very difficult summer for the LGBT community, particularly in New York City with the number of hate crimes, including a murder," said Holyman, D–Manhattan. "I can't explain it. Some have attributed it to the fact that the LGBT community has had victories," a reference to the Supreme Court's decision to strike down the Defense of Marriage Act and New York's state progressive stance on gay rights.
New York defines a hate crime as "a certain crime committed when an offender selects a victim because of a belief or perception about the victim regarding race, color, national origin, ancestry, gender, religion, religious practice, age, disability or sexual orientation, or commits a certain crime because of a belief or perception regarding race, color, national origin, ancestry, gender, religion, religious practice, age, disability or sexual orientation."
Read more athttp://www.legislativegazette.com/Articles-Top-Stories-c-2013-08-26-84880.113122-Hoylman-report-examines-spike-in-hate-crimes.html