The 1969 Federal Hate Crimes Law is inadequate because it can only be used to prosecute the offender if the victim was involved in one of six federally protected activities such as voting. In addition, the legislation does not include protection for hate crimes based on sexual orientation, gender or disability. Expanded federal hate crimes legislation is vital in order to uniformly protect all minorities nationwide.
Hate crimes occur nationwide but many states have laws that are insufficient or non-existent.
D.C. Currently, eight states do not have hate crimes laws and 22 states, including Maryland, lack hate crimes laws that can be used to prosecute hate crimes based on sexual orientation. Before all citizens can be treated as equals, they must first have equal federal protection against hate. Individuals commit a hate crime, which is a form of domestic terrorism, to send a message of fear and intimidation to a group of people. When a crime occurs that targets a victim because of his or her race, religion, sexual orientation, nationality or gender, the crime is intended to hurt and intimidate not just the victim, but the entire community. The Federal Hate Crimes Law should cover sexual orientation, gender and disability.