Attack on 2 at Swarthmore seen as gay-bashing

By Robert Moran, Inquirer Staff Writer
Posted: April 06, 2011

A Swarthmore College student and his friend were attacked on campus Sunday by a group of teens in what may have been a gay-bashing assault, a college official said.

The attack occurred on Mertz Field on the Delaware County campus, Elizabeth Braun, dean of students, wrote to the college community Tuesday. Neither the student nor his friend was identified.

The student reported that he and his friend were punched and knocked to the ground, and then were repeatedly kicked and stomped by at least five boys and one girl, Braun said.

"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.

"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," she said.

Braun said that the victims were treated at a health center on campus and then went to a hospital for further observation. They did not sustain serious physical injury.

Campus security and Swarthmore Borough police are investigating, Braun said.

She noted that an annual campus cross-dressing party is scheduled this weekend at Swarthmore, and urged students to have fun, "but also be careful and aware."

Contact staff writer Robert Moran at 215-854-5983 or bmoran@phillynews.com.

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