Thirty-six of those defendants have been convicted on a hate crime or a serious hate crime related charge, and five of these cases have involved the convictions of persons who physically attacked others due to their actual or perceived sexual orientation.

WHITEHOUSE: Safety and Justice for All Americans

An offence is considered a hate crime if the victim, or any other person, considers it was motivated by hostility based on a person's race, religious belief, sexual orientation, disability or where the victim was perceived to be transgender.

BBC: Hate crime against disabled people rises

This includes cyberbullying and bullying based on a student's actual or perceived race, color, national origin, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or religion.

CNN: Congress, help fight bullying

Hate Crimes Prevention Act -- which criminalizes violence motivated by any person's actual or perceived disability, race, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender, or gender identity -- for their alleged actions against the disabled victims.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS