NYPD Investigating Assault on Gay Couple in Midtown Manhattan as Hate Crime

City council members as well as mayoral candidate Christine Quinn all trying to capitalize

What was supposed to be a pleasant movie night turned into a violent attack and beating for a gay couple in Chelsea.

As CBS 2's Jessica Schneider reported, police on Wednesday were searching for several men wanted in the assault, which took place around midnight Tuesday night, shortly after the couple left the Chelsea Bowtie Cinemas on 23rd Street between Seventh and Eighth avenues.

The two victims — Peter Notman and Michael Felenchak — told their side of the story to reporters, CBS 2's Steve Langford reported.

They said they were holding hands as they turned onto 24th Street, when they were approached by two other men who yelled anti-gay slurs, according to police. Felenchak, 27, and Notman, 53, were then attacked by two young men, as well as four others who joined in, they added.