Rally Planned After Third Antigay Attack in NYC

Another antigay attack was reported in Manhattan this month, this time in the West Village outside of the popular spot Pieces.

The latest victim was coming out of the bar on Christopher Street last Wednesday, according to WABC News. He was hailing a cab when he was attacked by two men using antigay slurs. He was not seriously injured.

Though police said the attacks are not likely related, two gay couples were attacked in the area around Madison Square Garden last week. Nick Porto and Kevin Atkins were attacked outside of MSG May 5 by eight men following a Knicks game. Another gay couple was attacked outside a nearby PATH station, en route to a billiards hall last Friday. They were each taken to Bellevue Hospital, where one of the men underwent eye surgery, The Huffington Post reports. Asllan Berisha and Brian Ramirez were charged with a hate crime in that assault, according to WABC.

In response to the three instances of assault, Queer Rising and members of the public will hold a rally Thursday near the Garden around 7 p.m., calling out against the attacks.