The difference can be seen very clearly when, for example, people who are not gay or lesbian are attacked by persons who perceive their victims to be gay. Objection - Providing protection to groups such as gays and lesbians is unfair because it results in their having special rights. Response - Like the previous objection, this one ignores fundamental differences between crimes long recognized by our legal system. Hate crimes, because they are very often intended to intimidate groups of people and those who sympathize with them, often can be more difficult to investigate and prosecute. Witnesses are more likely to be reluctant to testify, particularly if they have the sense that the perpetrator of the crime is likely to have more of the sympathy of society generally than the victim.
Hate crimes are political in nature and are intended to subvert government.
Such crimes often are clearly terrorism. As such crimes are often more costly and harmful to society's means of protecting its varied members, it is fitting that local governments receive assistance, as Jasper, Texas did, in dealing with hate crimes. Extending the existing law, that substantially relieved Jasper of the burden of investigating and prosecuting the murder of James Byrd Jr., so as to relieve communities such as Laramie of a similar burden is just and proper. Response - This is not true. Crimes committed against men because they are heterosexual, or male would clearly be hate crimes.