John and Larry Charlton were hospitalized following the beating on Harris Avenue in September, 10TV's Glenn McEntyre reported.

The men, who have been together more than seven years, said the attack began when a group of men yelled a gay slur at them.

"Next thing I know, one of them's on (John's) back, whooping on him," Larry said. "I pulled that guy off. He turned around and smashed me a couple times in the head and knocked me down. Then three more guys were on top of John."

Police urged the men to come forward with their story after their SUV was set on fire Tuesday morning.

"Why in the world did these people jump us? How can they be that hateful to two people just walking down the street?" Larry said.

Police said one of the attackers is a white man in his late 30s or early 40s with a long gray ponytail. The second is a white man in his early 20s with short brown hair.

John and Larry do not necessarily expect their neighbors to approve of their relationship, but they say they have the right to live safely and peacefully.

"I just think it's a human right to be able to walk down your street without that kind of hate," Larry said.

Those with any information about the attack are urged to call Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at 645-TIPS.

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