Young black males perhaps?

Marky, that's my line, but, I wait for the facts to be reported. I do it to highlight a clear problematic trend. But it is unwise to jump to conclusions.

Problems with the story: 1) No description of perps. 2) The reporter referred to this as a "hate crime" and a crime of "discrimination". Who was discriminated against? What leads to the conclusion that they were targeted for their sexual orientation? 3) The camera shows the woman in jeans' torn knees. But, those jeans have many holes and it is clear that the holes in the knees are part of the style, not a result of the attack. That is sensationalism and weakens the story. It is unfortunate that they were attacked. Report the facts of the attack, including a description of the perps and the words exchanged, and let the police, with possible tips from the community, help solve the crime, instead of hyping up the "hate crime" stuff.

This story has too many "holes" in it and not to believed at all. The cab drivers less then 5 feet away saw no confrontation. The W security team was outside and directly across the street the plain clothes policeman saw no confrontation. Several people saw the 2 arguing as they left piedmont walking up 14th. Just an attention grab.

Just to clarify, the Atlanta Police Department says there was no police report filed regarding this alleged incident.

I stay away from the W Midtown; it's often a hangout for thugs. It's also ugly as hell imho.

sloppy drunk lesbians mouthed off and got a reaction. No hate crime, just typical drunks

To answer the original question "Were party-goers mostly respectful of the neighborhood?", yes, I suppose so, but on my way home Saturday night at the corner of 14th & Juniper, I saw a group of revelers, one of which was verbally accosting other passersby, then thrusting his hips at them in a plainly suggestive manner after they walked by, yelling at cars, then tearing his t-shirt off, (plainly drunk and desperate to be noticed). It's this kind of obnoxious crap that I can't stand.

The W was packed with gays for the weekend. Hard to believe gays staying at an uber gay-friendly hotel in a safe, gay-friendly area with hundreds of other gays for Pride 2012 would be assaulted for any reason...there, with valet/cabs/security/bystanders nearby.

While hate crimes do occur in all shapes and forms, and should be taken seriously, I would advise not to cry wolf everytime you stub your toe or skin your knee while lesbian. If it was a hate crime, that's one thing, but shame on the news for reporting as such with no supporting evidence.

i was actually outside when the incident happened.. and people were hesitant to help bc the two women were picking a fight with these two other woman sitting outside and a man came over to tell them to leave, they punched him in the face!! if you ask me these woman are seeking attention and shame on the news for even reporting this

Wait - a group of people who promote a public parade where people dress in drag and other highly inappropriate costumes that would be considered unacceptable to the vast majority of people in this country, and then complain about how they're not accepted by the vast majorities of this country, caused a scene that you would expect to occur in a trailer park? Shocking.

Why was the report filed with the Fulton County once they got home ??? Atlanta Polica were within minutes if 911 would have been called including an undercover team already in the neighborhood. No time or attention needs to be given to this nonsense from these ladies.

I'd like to hate-crime all the stupid comments to this "story"

So if the lesbians called the other woman a stripper and began the incident, is it considered a hate crime by them since the sexual orientation and attire of the victims was a factor?