EDGE Atlanta

Two gay men say they were beaten by a stranger in a pizza parlor because the attacker claims he thought the men were hitting on him.

As many as 2,500 people held marches and even wedding ceremonies in nine Texas cities on Saturday, Oct. 15, as part of what activists described as a more pro-active approach to gaining marriage equality in the Lone Star State.

Located right smack-dab in the heart of Texas, Austin, the Lone Star State’s capital city, is the gateway to Texas Hill Country. It may be in the center of the giant state, but it’s a world away from Texas stereotypes.

2010 census statistics that UCLA’s Williams Institute analyzed found that Dallas and Austin are among the gayest cities in the country. The Williams Institute also found that Dallas has the highest concentration of same-sex couples in Texas.

After two male friends hugged in parting after spending Christmas night at a gay club in Austin, Texas, they were attacked by five men who emerged from a passing car. Although about 25 people were nearby and witnessed the attack, no one came to the men’s aid. Now one of bashing victims speaks out.

Austin, Texas saw two Pride parades this year. One was the official event, organized by the Austin Gay and Les­bian Pride Foundation; the other was a breakaway event put together by Queerbomb.

Nearly a thousand people took part in the "Austin March Against Hate" rally at City Hall on Saturday, Feb. 27, in response to the attack against Emmanuel Winston and Matthew Morgan in a nearby parking garage a week earlier.

Austin, Texas now requires contractors working for the city to provide proof that their companies include gays and lesbians in their non-discrimination policies.