This is the most dangerous aspect of hate crime legislation. The civil government should not be permitted to regulate a person's beliefs into approved and disapproved categories. Hate crime laws abuse civil rights. Currently, the homosexual lobby is the most ardent supporter of hate crime legislation. However, civil rights laws are normally based on characteristics that can't be changed, such as skin color, sex, or disability.
Religion is the exception.
The First Amendment protects our beliefs. If sexual orientation is added to hate crime laws, we legitimize the false claim that sexual orientation is inbred, rather than chosen behavior. All crimes are hate crimes. All criminals operate on the basis of hate or other impure motive. Criminal acts should be vigorously and fairly prosecuted.