Gay Couple Attacked In New York City; Search Continues for Assailant
After a series of anti-gay attacks in New York City, gay people still cannot feel safe in one of the most diverse cities in the world. Another anti-gay attack, this time directed at a couple, happened this past week in a Greenwich Village subway station. The attacker is still at large and the police and community are working to apprehend him.
The attack happened on March 2 at around 12:30 p.m., according to the Huffington Post. The victims, J.P. Masterson and Peter Moore, were returning home from celebrating their tenth anniversary when the attack occurred. The local CBS affiliate reports that the men were approached by the assailant who asked the couple if they were gay. The couple ignored the man and then he attacked.
"He just came at me in two seconds and then he started shoving me towards the tracks," Masterson said. "He was like, 'I f***ing hate f***ots." The man punched Masterson in the face, breaking his nose, fracturing parts of his face and eye socket. According to CBS, the couple described their attacker as a white male, about 5 feet 8 inches tall, weighing around 170 pounds and is his late 20s. It is also reported that his has a thick Polish accent.
According to CBS, the couple expressed disappointment. "I couldn't believe that in this day and age, in the Village which is where I came out and where I felt most accepted, that now I have to be on edge," Masterson said. He also added that there were over 50 people on the platform and no one tried to help when the men were attacked.
The police have released a sketch of the attacker and have provided phone numbers for anyone with information. Anyone with information about the attack is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS, visit the Crime Stoppers website or text tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter TIP577.