August 8, 2013
NYC Couple Speaks Out About Alleged Anti-Gay Crime
Jason St. Amand READ TIME: 1 MIN.
The same-sex couple who were allegedly attacked outside Madison Square Garden in New York City in May are now speaking out about the incident in a New York Times "Op-Doc" video.
Nick Porto, 27, and his partner Kevin Atkins, 22, made headlines last May when according to police and news reports, they were attacked by four men leaving Madison Square Garden after a New York Knicks playoff game, who allegedly shouted anti-gay epithets towards them in broad daylight.
"We were walking down the street, enjoying the day, holding hands," Porto said. "From behind us, we hear somebody calling us faggots...I did feel like I could approach these guys and laugh about it."
He added that he remembers a guy punching him in the face, knocking his glasses off his head, "...that's when I looked around and realized I was surrounded by people."
"My parents didn't know I was in a relationship until the incident. So that was a little tough," Atkins added.
In the video clip, the men say they are "Project Runway" crewmembers and that officials are still investigating the alleged attack.
The Porto/Atkins assault was one of the first of numerous highly reported anti-gay attacks in NYC this year that included the shooting death of Mark Carson.
Watch the NYT clip below:
