Early this morning two men, ages 53 and 27, were holding hands outside a Chelsea movie theater and were senselessly beaten while attackers yelled antigay slurs. Both required hospitalization for injuries. One of the man's injuries were so brutal he required stitches on his face.

“I am appalled by reports that two men were senselessly beaten in Chelsea simply because they were perceived to be gay. Holding hands as they walked down West 24th Street, they were assaulted as their attackers hurled anti-gay slurs," Christine Quinn, Speaker for the New York City Council, commented on the latest in a long string of anti-gay violence in New York. "The cowardly individuals who committed this crime do not represent New Yorkers and our community will not be cowed by such violence. New York City’s greatest strength is our diversity, and we will not stand for attacks against anyone, for any reason."

The assault occurred at Chelsea Cinemas on West 24th Street just after midnight today.

"The rising number of anti-LGBT attacks around the country is staggering and needs to be addressed immediately," said Wilson Cruz, National Spokesperson for GLAAD. "Nobody should have to fear simply walking down a street in their own neighborhood because of who they are."

New York Police Department’s Hate Crimes Task Force is investigating the incident. Anyone with information about these assaults to contact the Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-866-313-TIPS. GLAAD is working with the Anti-Violence Project to bring attention to these attacks.