A report released Tuesday by the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs shows a 2 percent increase nationally in hate crimes against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in 2008. In Minnesota and much of the Midwest, hate crime numbers increased substantially in 2008.

The report is based on victim reports of attacks to anti-violence programs around the country. In 2008, 29 deaths occurred nationally where anti-LGBT bias was identified. According to NCAVP, that number is the highest number of anti-LGBT murders in one year since 1999.

In Minnesota, there were 73 cases of hate crimes committed in 2008, a 48-percent increase. There was a 185-percent increase in the number of incidents involving violence, and a 20-percent increase in the number of incidents involving more than one assailant.

Even though report authors say a portion of increases may be a result of more LGBT people reporting incidents, they are still not comfortable going to the police.

“While there was an 81 percent increase in the number of reports made to law enforcement, this number remains extraordinarily low (18 percent) in relation to the total number of reported incidents,” said OutFront Minnesota. “While many law enforcement agencies and other criminal justice personnel have performed admirably in their response to this violence, we see a need for further education for law enforcement about the unique elements of hate and bias related activity and effective victim support strategies.”

Minnesota saw several media reports of hate crimes last year. In August, a man who was leaving a gay bar after meeting his wife and friends there for drinks was beaten on Washington Avenue in Minneapolis. And in the winter, a lesbian woman was attacked by a group of men in Minneapolis’ Uptown neighborhood.

“We must continue this vital work to create safe streets, homes and workplaces. Unfortunately, our community must continue to be aware of its vulnerability to hate and bias related violence,” said Rebecca Waggoner Kloek, director of OutFront Minnesota’s anti-violence program. “We must demand that the larger community and its justice systems hold perpetrators accountable for their actions.”