Police: Attack on 2 women after S.F. gay pride rally was hate crime

San Francisco police say two women who were attacked by five men after attending gay pride festivities were victims of a hate crime.

The women were reportedly wearing rainbow-themed clothing and carrying items indicating they had just attended pride festivities Saturday, said San Francisco police spokesman Albie Esparza.

The group of men approached them about 5:25 p.m. near Mission and 9th streets in the south-of-Market neighborhood, he said.

“These two women were just minding their own business, walking home, when they were singled out by these suspects and attacked,” he said.

The men yelled gay slurs at the women and then began kicking and punching them, he said.

A good Samaritan tried to intervene and stop the attack, and the men fled.

The women, who are in their 20s and live in the East Bay, suffered scrapes and bruises; one sustained a broken wrist, Esparza said.

Such attacks will not be tolerated in a city that prides itself on accepting everyone, he said.

Detectives were unable to find surveillance video of the attack, he said.

Anyone with information about the attack is asked to call San Francisco police at (415) 575-4444.

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