POLICE are treating an attack on a young gay man in central Belfast as a hate crime.
James Hall said he was attacked by a man in an unprovoked incident in the early hours of Sunday.
He posted a video online shortly after the incident showing what appears to be blood running down his face.
Visibly upset in the footage, the 24-year-old said: "I have just been assaulted because I'm gay."
The incident happened at about 3am in the Little Donegall Street area of central Belfast.
Inspector Antony Frazer said: "We are appealing for information following the report of an assault on a man in the Little Donegall Street area of Belfast at approximately 3am."
He urged anyone with information to contact officers at Tennent Street on the non-emergency number 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Mr Hall said he was standing at a bar when two men walked past him and began to call him names, and was attacked by one of them when he responded.
He said he was beaten about his face and suffered cuts and bruises around his eyes.
"Granted because I was drunk, I said to them, 'What's your problem? But just because I said that, one of them came up and literally just started to hit me," he said.
Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph, he added: "This just has to stop. I mean, it's 2016 and this is still happening. It's disgusting.
"Not just to me because I'm gay but all hate crime. This needs to be addressed."
