Gay NYC Journalist Requires Brain Surgery After Alleged Hate Crime

New York City Police are currently investigating an attack against a gay journalist, who was viciously beaten a few blocks away from Times Square early on the morning of Jan. 17, DNAInfo New York reports.

Randy Gener, 46, was found with injuries to his head and in a pool of his own blood around 4 a.m. , on Seventh Avenue and near 54th Street. According to New York's ABC 7, Gener is listed in a serious but stable condition at St. Luke's Hospital in New York. He is currently recovering from brain surgery as a result of the alleged attack.

DNAInfo reports that Gener, a journalist who has written about theatre and culture for National Public Radio, The Village Voice and The New York Times, left the opening night party for the Broadway play "Machinal" when the attack happened, according to his friends.

According to NYPD, who are investigating the attack as a possible hate crime, Gener had been punched in the face. His sister, Jessica Driessler, said he suffered a skull fracture. She told ABC that there aren't many details about the incident because Gener "can't answer the questions of what happened that night."

"He doesn't really exactly know who we are or where he's at sometimes, and it's really painful to see him here the way that he is because he's the most articulate person," she said.

Gener's friend and colleague Kyoung Park, 31, said the attackers did not steal anything off of his person. He added that Genre is now awake and able to speak but is not able to recall much about the incident.

"There's not only a lot of pain, but anger that comes from this pain, and until there's justice I feel like this won't be resolved," Park told DNAInfo.

Gener's friend Liz Casasola made similar statements to New York City's CBS affiliate station, noting his wallet was not stolen.

"He's always there for everyone in the theater and Filipino community, it's hard to picture it happening to someone like him," she said.

DNAInfo reports Gener's friends and family held a candlelight vigil for him on Sunday. The Huffington Post reports that a youcaring.com page has been set up in order to help pay for Gener's medical expenses. Donations can be made by clicking here.

Park said he is pleased with the support the community has shown Gener. Park said Gener does not have health insurance.

"He is really a beloved figure in our community and this really just isn't fair," Park told DNAInfo. "The amount of knowledge and wisdom he carries with him is invaluable. I just hope he can recover to be able to continue sharing with us his brilliance."