Two gay soldiers were beaten in a suspected hate crime July 2 in Colorado Springs, Colo.
The soldiers were at a fast food restaurant with friends after going out when they were confronted by a group of men who began harassing them with homophobic slurs, the Denver Channel reports.
One victim suffered six bruised ribs; his right eye swelled shut for 10 hours. Another victim in the group had a facial fracture and his jaw had to be wired shut.
The victims, who are identified only as John and Ted, have chosen to remain anonymous due to Don’t Ask Don’t Tell’s continued enforcement. The ban will be lifted 60 days after of certification, which is expected this summer.
They fear their outing could lead to trouble in their military careers.
Colorado Springs police Lt. Pat Rigdon said that if police decide the attack was a hate crime based on ethnicity, gender or sexual orientation, they could charge the attackers with a hate crime.
