NYC's world-renowned gay neighborhood of Chelsea was the setting for a senseless and appalling hate crime early Wednesday morning.

Two men who were holding hands outside the Bow Tie Chelsea Cinema on 24th between 7th and 8th Avenues were approached by two other men shouting anti-gay slurs. As the derogatory shouts progressed, four more attackers joined in and the group proceeded to beat the gay men. Injuries sustained by the victims required hospital treatment, with one man in need of facial stitches due to a laceration suffered during the assault.

NYC mayoral candidate Christine Quinn blasted the attack. “I am appalled by reports that two men were senselessly beaten in Chelsea simply because they were perceived to be gay," she said in a statement released this afternoon. "Holding hands as they walked down West 24th Street, they were assaulted as their attackers hurled anti-gay slurs. 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."

(Via GLAAD)