Hate Crime in Orlando

A 20 year old gay man was beat by a group of teens for his sexual preference. The Orange County deputies said this is a hate crime.

A group of nine boys and girls left 20-year-old Daniel Lago with scratches on his face, including bruises to his lips, back of the head and cheeks, reports from the Orange County Sheriff's Office show.

Lago said he was walking home around 9:30 p.m. when one of the teenagers approached him in the area of Long and Barbara roads, between Rosemont and Lockhart, and asked to use his cell phone.

He told the suspect he didn't have minutes on his phone. The teen then asked Lago if he was gay.

When Lago replied, "What if I am?" the teen said, "So you are."

The victim then said one of the female teenagers pushed him from behind, reports show. She and the teen who asked for the cell phone started beating Lago.

Deputies said Lago gripped his cell phone and tried to run from the attackers.

One of the teen suspects pulled off and stole Lago's rainbow-colored necklace, as well as a metal charm depicting two male gender symbols.

Sexual orientation is one of a handful of personal characteristics protected by Florida's hate-crime laws, along with race, color, religion and several others.