"Hate crimes conjure up gale forces of controversy in pretty much every setting. Some say hate and discourtesy motivate most crimes, so there’s no need to make distinctions between motivations. Others find this mindset entirely too broad and believe a hate crime should be considered anywhere discrimination against sexuality, race, ethnicity and/or disability plays a significant role in deciding who gets targeted. Just about the only thing everyone agrees upon (except conspiracy theorists, of course) is the fact that many perpetrators do actually select victims on biased, -ism-oriented bases, they just argue over the exact definition. And legalities, of course.

Everyone can jump at each other’s throats all day, but it doesn’t change the fact that, right now, the American government recognizes hate crimes, and punishes those found guilty of them harsher. As long as criminals get convicted under such terms, articles such as this will keep sprouting up. Regardless of one’s opinions on the justice components, that doesn’t change the fact that some horrible people still laser-guide their hate towards minority demographics. Seeing as how 11.4% of hate crimes happen on college campuses, students must absolutely receive a thorough education regarding their causes and prevention.

Campus Pride and Stop the Hate now have a new nationwide toll free telephone number that provides direct access to our entire staff.

888-537-4463

Please take a moment to update your address books with this new number. When you call, a directory of extensions for our staff is provided. You can enter the extension at any time and your call will be transferred immediately. We hope this new toll free number makes accessing our staff easier for you.

June 20, 2011 (Santa Rosa, CA) The Board of Directors of Out To Protect Incorporated is pleased to announce the award of a scholarship to Kurt Eriksen. Kurt is currently attending the Police Academy at San Joaquin Delta College in Stockton. He will graduate on September 17, 2011. Kurt is a helpful, loyal, and caring individual who has a good work ethic and enjoys teamwork. His teachers and supervisors at the academy praised Kurt for his professionalism and overall performance in the police academy.

Kurt told us, "I have always been interested in law enforcement, but it was not until my first year of college when I really started looking into law enforcement as a career choice. I decided to get my EMT certification because I was old enough to be a police officer and knew it would allow me to be in contact with law enforcement professionals. My goal was to decide whether or not I truly wanted to be in a public safety career and to meet people who would give me more insight into law enforcement. After working as an EMT for a short time, I realized I definitely wanted a career in Law Enforcement. The draw of meeting new people everyday and being in different situations drew me further into wanting a career in law enforcement. I am not looking for a career where I sit behind a desk for 8 hours a day. I need a 'fast paced' career that will challenge me and help me grow as a person. Having so many special assignments within a department will give me room to move and grow. If employed by a large agency I would love to be assigned to an air patrol unit, since getting my pilots license has always been a dream of mine.

Good afternoon!

I'm sure you are aware of the recent brutal beating of a gay man in Rock HIll, and how that has prompted local representatives to re-introduce a hate crime bill when the South Carolina Legislature reconvenes next week. Those intentions are being met with resistance.

I am the publicist for Campus Pride, a national Gay Rights advocacy group based here in Charlotte, and led by executive director Shane Windmeyer. Shane, who has been featured on ABC World News with Diane Sawyer, Good Morning America, MSNBC, and in The New York Times, Rolling Stone, OUT Magazine and TIME Magazine, is available for interviews and commentary this weekend and early next week regarding the South Carolina situation.

The hate crime bill, led by state Rep. John King, D-Rock Hill, was prompted by the beating of Joshua Esskew at a convience store, which was caught on the store's video tape.

King's hate crime bill, which went nowhere in the General Assembly when first introduced last year, is expected again to be met with opposition. A spokesman for Gov. Nikki Haley told a reporter from the Rock Hill Herald that the newly elected governor does not support state hate crime laws.

"Individuals who believe that a crime is a crime is a crime do not understand the definition of a hate crime or the unique impact a hate crime has on an entire targeted community," says Shane Windmeyer, Executive Director of Campus Pride, a national, Charlotte-based nonprofit for student leaders and campus organizations working to create safer, more LGBT-friendly colleges and universities.