Columbus ranked fifth in the nation in hate crimes against gays, lesbians and bisexuals in 1997.The information comes from a report released last week by the Buckeye Region Anti-Violence Organization, in conjunction with the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs.”We are very upset about the result,” said Joshua Black, the president of the Bisexual, Gay and Lesbian Alliance.Black thinks the campus has more hate crimes than students actually report.Only one gay-related hate crime has been reported on campus in three years. A case of telephone harassment toward a gay student in Morrill Tower was reported earlier this year, according to University Police.”Sometimes people are too upset, and many times they are afraid that others will find out they are gay or lesbian,” Black said.The problem lies in the American society as a whole, he said.”When fundamentalist religious groups condemn gay and lesbian people, they are contributing to the atmosphere of intolerance,” he said. “This atmosphere inevitablely fosters and encourages violence.”The alliance attempts to teach members lessons of basic safety, such as never leave a bar alone, be careful after dark and always watch your back, Black said.”When there is a hate crime anywhere, I think it is really unfortunate,” said Scott Boden, the acting coordinator of the Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Student Services.He said although it is great for gay, lesbian and bisexual people to come out, they unfortunately become more vulnerable.”I think that is something that makes it difficult for us,” he said.Andy Scahill, a sophomore majoring in English, said the high visibility of the gay and lesbian community partially accounts for the number of hate crimes.Scahill, who is secretary of the alliance, hopes the results of the report don’t mean the situation is getting worse.”I really think Columbus is the sort of place where I can be open and still be safe,” he said.While studies indicate college students are most likely to commit hate crimes, Scahill said OSU is responsible for educating students about diversity.”I definitely think gay, lesbian and bisexual people should be more visible,” he said. “More visibility should come with more education, so that the violent backlash will not occur.”