US hate crimes prompt reform call

Newly released figures showing victims’ sexuality is the third highest motivation for hate crimes in the United States demonstrate legislation dealing with the problem is urgently needed, activists say.The Federal Bureau of Statistics figures show about 14 percent of hate crimes were motivated by victims’ sexuality last year.Only race and religion ranked higher, with about 8,000 hate crimes were recorded in the US in 2005.Gay activists say the figures underline the need for hate crime legislation to include homophobic attacks.A bill to include anti-gay attacks in federal hate crime legislation was dropped by the US Senate earlier this year.Activists also say anti-gay hate crimes are underreported.Bias-motivated crimes require a comprehensive response at every level of government, Human Rights campaign president Joe Solmonese said.