It was shortly after 8 p.m on Tuesday, March 2, when the five suspects jumped the victim, punching and kicking him.
The 22-year-old victim suffered severe bruises and a head laceration.
A week later, the attack is sending shockwaves through this community.
"After hearing about the unprovoked attack just because someone looked different, I'll be more careful walking around here," one resident told us.
Members of the NYPD's Hate Crimes Task Force are searching for the suspects.
City leaders including City Council Speaker Christine Quinn denounced the violence and the hate.
"Something like this that still happens in the city of New York is terribly upsetting," Quinn said. "We're a city where diversity is our greatest strength."
The Gay and Lesbian Anti-Violence Campaign told us, "In a world as diverse as ours, we cannot tolerate violence based on actual or perceived identity, because if we do we are all vulnerable."
Investigators said they don't have a lot to go on. They don't have a description of the five men. They're hoping that surveillance video from the area might help in the investigation.