FBI reports sharp increase in hate crimes

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New FBI data show a sharp increase in hate crimes based on anti-gay or religious bias.

Overall, the number of reported hate crimes increased about 2% from last year. These same figures show a nearly 11% increase in hate crimes based on sexual orientation, and a nearly 9% increase in hate crimes based on religion. The largest category, racially motivated hate crimes, fell less than 1%.

The increases may be partly due to more law enforcement agencies reporting hate crimes data to the FBI. IN total, there were 7,783 hate crimes reported to the FBI last year, and seven murders were categorized as hate crimes.

--Associated Press