Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
NYPD Investigates Brutal Beating Of Gay Man As Possible Hate Crime
By
Christopher Robbins
Published Jan 26, 2014
Modified Jan 26, 2014
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
via
By
Christopher Robbins
Published Jan 26, 2014
Modified Jan 26, 2014
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
The NYPD's Hate Crimes Task Force is investigating the brutal beating of a gay man in Midtown.
Police say 45-year-old Randy Gener was leaving a friend's party at around 3 a.m. on January 17th when he was beaten on Seventh Avenue near West 54th Street. Gener, an accomplished journalist and lecturer, suffered a severe head injury that required immediate brain surgery. He has no memory of his attack.
"He can't answer the questions of what happened that night, he doesn't really exactly know who we are or where he's at sometimes," Gener's sister told ABC. "It's really painful to see him here the way that he is because he's the most articulate person."
A vigil for Gener is being held tonight at 6 p.m. near the spot where he was attacked. Gener's family is collecting donations to pay for his medical expenses, and the NYPD is asking anyone with information to come forward or report a tip to Crime Stoppers.
Police are still investigating another possible hate crime against a transgender woman and her friend that occurred at Neptune Diner in Astoria earlier this month.
Tagged
hate crime
hate crimes task force
midtown
Christopher Robbins
Christopher Robbins is a New York City reporter covering transportation, affordable housing, local politics, and criminal justice. His work has also appeared in New York Magazine, The Village Voice and The New York Times. Chris is a graduate of Patrick Henry High School in Roanoke, Virginia, and enjoys biking to Fort Tilden in the summertime.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
5 men charged with trespassing in 2 Manhattan manhole cases
Two people who were found soaking wet and smelling of sewage say they went underground to look for jewelry, according to police and a criminal complaint.
By
Charles Lane
Published Oct 23, 2026 at 7:49 p.m. ET
6-year-old girl breaks leg after getting hit by falling bricks in Queens
The girl was walking with her mother in Maspeth on Thursday. The Department of Buildings cited the owner of a garage for “failure to maintain” it.
By
Charles Lane
News
6-year-old girl breaks leg after getting hit by falling bricks in Queens
The girl was walking with her mother in Maspeth on Thursday. The Department of Buildings cited the owner of a garage for “failure to maintain” it.
By
Charles Lane
Mamdani extends ban on permits for new street fairs due to NYPD overtime
By
Carol Chen
Inside the Midtown Bus Terminal rebuild: Decks over Lincoln Tunnel approach, a new park
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
Black couple seeking Queens apartment sues over racist text from broker
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .