Introduction
All violent crimes are reprehensible. But the damage done by hate crimes cannot be measured solely in terms of physical injury or dollars and cents. Hate crimes rend the fabric of our society and fragment communities because they target a whole group and not just the individual victim. Hate crimes are committed to cause fear to a whole community. A violent hate crime is intended to "send a message" that an individual and "their kind" will not be tolerated, many times leaving the victim and others in their group feeling isolated, vulnerable and unprotected.
Matthew Shepard Act
Find out more about The Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act / Matthew Shepard Act
Equality from State to State
Read HRCs report on state constitutional amendments and bills affecting GLBT people
Maps of State Laws and Policies
View maps overviewing the status of laws and policies that affect the GLBT community
Hate Crime Laws in Your State
See if your state addresses hate crimes based on gender identity or sexual orientation