Michigan: Vandals Target Gay Couple

A hate crime was reported in Ferndale, Mich., involving a gay couple's car and home early Monday morning, according to the Daily Tribune.

The vandals reportedly tossed paint onto the house and car of the victim, and carved the phrase "white fag" into the door of the vehicle. Homophobic slurs were also spray painted on the house. It is estimated that the damage will cost thousands of dollars to repair.

Police Sgt. Patrick Jones said authorities will investigate the incident as a hate crime.

The neighborhood where the incident took place will be checked for similar damage and the police may test for DNA, depending on what type of evidence turns up.

Ferndale had numerous hate crimes of similar nature occur in the past, but there has been a significant decrease since the early 1990s.

The city, which is part of the Detroit metropolitan area, is known for having a large LGBT population, in addition to being the first city in Michigan to elect an openly gay mayor in 2007.