Q: What is a hate crime?

A: Hate crimes are the most extreme form of discrimination: a crime motivated in whole or in part, by hatred, bias, or prejudice against an individual because of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability or gender. The victim's individual identity, real or perceived, doesn't matter to the offender; any person who appears to be a member of the group will serve his or her purpose.