Hate crimes against gays spreading.

• Position: Your Life - Brief article

Nearly four in 10 gay men and about one in eight lesbians and bisexuals in the U.S. have been the target of violence or a property crime because of their sexual orientation, according to a study by University of California, Davis, psychology professor Gregory Herek.

"This is the most reliable estimate to date of the prevalence of anti-gay victimization in the United States," Herek claims. "The data demonstrates that crimes against sexual minority adults, especially gay men, are disturbingly widespread."

Overall, 21% of the people in the survey reported being the victim of violence or a property crime--including physical and sexual assault, theft, and vandalism--because of their sexual orientation. In addition, 49% said they have been verbally abused; 23%, threatened with violence; 12.5%, objects thrown at...