Gay Bashing at Swarthmore?

Courtesy of Swarthmore

As two men were walking across Mertz Field on the posh campus of Swarthmore College on Philadelphia’s Main Line on Sunday – they were attacked, reports the Philadelphia Inquirer, by as many as five boys and a girl.

According to reports, the two men – who were not identified – were beaten and kicked to the ground before being stomped and punched by what are believed to be high school-age students. One of the victims is a student at Swarthmore.

Police are investigating the attack, says Elizabeth Braun, dean of students at the school, who is calling it a gay bashing.

“Our student has also shared that he and his friend were being affectionate with one another when they were approached by the high-school-age students,” Braun said in a statement to the college community this week. “While it still isn’t clear what prompted the assault on our student and his friend, it does appear that homophobia could have been a factor in the attack.”

This comes one week before the annual cross-dressing party on campus (April 9) for which administration advises students to “be careful and aware.”

Both victims were treated by the campus health center before being transported to the local hospital. No life-threatening injuries were reported.