No One Helped Gay Couple Attacked on NYC Subway

Police are investigating the assault as a possible hate crime.

Sunnivie Brydum

Sunnivie is the managing editor of The Advocate, and an award-winning journalist whose passion is covering the politics of equality and elevating the unheard stories of our community. Originally from Colorado, she and her spouse now live in Los Angeles, along with their three fur-children: dogs Luna and Cassie Doodle, and "Meow Button" Tilly.

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Sunnivie Brydum

February 20 2013 3:03 PM EST

November 17 2015 5:28 AM EST

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A 23-year-old gay man and his boyfriend say they were physically and verbally assaulted on a New York City subway Monday night, noting that a crowd of bystanders did nothing to intervene.

Urena Morel Frankelly and his partner say they were heading south on the No. 2 train when they say a woman began taking pictures of them, leading to a confrontation where the suspects hurled antigay slurs at the couple, reports the New York Daily News. When Frankelly asked the woman why she was taking a picture of him eating food on the train, the suspect allegedly responded by shouting, "Feed your face, f****t."

The Daily News reports that another woman chimed in, apparently asking Frankelly's partner, "Why you with that f****t?"

An argument ensued, and the women were joined by three others and a man, who all attacked Frankelly, according to police. When Frankelly's partner attempted to intervene, he was repeatedly punched, reports the Daily News. Frankelly was treated at St. Luke's Hospital for a left eye swollen shut, with a cut above the socket.

The couple managed to get off the train at the next stop and call police, who are investigating the incident as a possible hate crime. Investigators from the Manhattan Hate Crime Task Force interviewed Frankelly and his partner about the incident, according to the Daily News.