Two gay men
attacked outside N.J. bar

Two gay men were attacked early Saturday morning after leaving a Hoboken, N.J., bar, according to The Jersey Journal. The two men were assaulted at about 3 a.m. as they embraced after exiting a popular gay nightclub, the Cage.

According to Hoboken Police Capt. Anthony Romano, the attackers punched and kicked the two men while shouting homophobic epithets.

"They hit the two gentlemen because they were gay," Romano told the Journal. "They punched them and kicked them while they were on the ground, kicking them to the head. [The victims] were scared."

The two victims were treated at Hoboken University Hospital, said police. One of the men had a contusion on his head after being kicked.

Two of the attackers were held by bouncers from nearby Lana nightclub until police arrived. The bouncers had witnessed the attack and chased after the attackers.

The two assailants were arrested and charged with simple assault and bias intimidation and taken to the Hudson County Jail in Kearny, Romano said.

New Jersey police have called this incident a case of "tragic bias."

"It's a tragic crime and the Hoboken Police Department will not tolerate this kind of behavior," said Romano. "It's an aberration in this town luckily, but no one should be put upon for this kind of thing." (The Advocate)