More than 1,700 Americans were victims of hate crimes based on their sexual orientation in 2008, a 13% increase over the previous year, according to new data released by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  About one out of every six hate crimes in the U.S. is based on sexual orientation, USA TODAY reported.

Overall, the number of hate crimes incidents in the U.S. rose 2% from 2007 to 2008, and half were motivated by race.