Special v Equal rights  

I even disagree with hate crime laws.  If the crime comes under a legal law, then that law should be applied equally in every case.

Except when the crime is based on hatred of a group, bigotry. If the crime is committed because the victim is 'x' and not y or z, and the motivation is that the victim is 'x', that's not an ordinary criminal act. For instance- rape is a 'hate crime' specifically victimizing women. Rape is not an ordinary act of sex, it is a violent act of power over the woman because she is a woman and generally not as physically powerful. Plus, the rapist can create the opportunity.

Eldridge Cleaver, serial rapist, explained his rapes as specifically an exercise of power and victimisation of women.