Metro

Multiple attacks on gay men in hours after hate-crime protest

Members of the LGBT community and their supporters gather to protest a string a bias attacks in New York.

Members of the LGBT community and their supporters gather to protest a string a bias attacks in New York. (AP)

Two thugs were arrested today for attacking a gay couple in SoHo, just hours after demonstrators filled the streets of the nearby West Village to protest the hate-crime shooting death of another gay man, cops said.

Steven Dixon, 42, and Michael Coleman, 41 were walking along Broadway near Houston Street at about 5 a.m. when two men started yelling anti-gay remarks in English and Spanish.

Both suspects repeatedly punched Dixon, causing lacerations and swelling and pain to his right eye.

After canvassing the area, cops arrested Fabian Ortiz, 32 and Pedro Jimenez, 23, and charged them with assault as a hate crime, a felony.

Cops are also investigating an attack last night in the East Village on a gay party promoter who was pummeled by an attacker who yelled f—got as he kicked and beat Dan Contarino at Avenue D and 4th Street, witnesses told a web site, Nightlifegay.com.

Both attacks came within hours of a Monday evening rally where activists and gay-rights supporters marched through the West Village to condemn the death of 32-year-old Mark Carson, who was shot and killed in what police said was a bias attack.

Carson was killed Saturday as he walked through the West Village with a male companion. The suspect, Elliot Morales, was charged with murder as a hate crime, police said.

“We are shocked and angry to learn that yesterday, just hours after marching with thousands of people through Greenwich Village to stand up against hate crimes, at least two New Yorkers were attacked on the streets of Manhattan simply because they were perceived to be gay,” council speaker Christine Quinn said in a statement she released with council members Margaret Chin and Rosie Mendez.

“We will not retreat in fear. New Yorkers are galvanized to take action and determined to stand up in the face of hatred.