Palm Springs was the site of a brutal attack on Sunday when two prominent gay residents were beaten because they are gay. The attack on married couple George and Chris Zander is being investigated by police as a felony hate crime.

The incident happened as the elderly couple were leaving a night club holding hands. A white male allegedly yelled anti-gay slurs at them and left the scene, but soon returned with two friends.

Chris Zander was hit over the head with a bottle, and George Zander, 71, was pushed to the ground, causing a double fracture to his hip.

"It was complete anger, it was just anger," Chris Zander told the Desert Sun. "I don't understand why somebody would push a 71-year-old man over. It makes me want to cry every time I talk about it."

Raw Story notes Desert Stonewall Democrats, a group which George Zander serves on the steering committee, is trying to raise $5,000 to match the reward offered by a donor to apprehend the suspects.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Palm Springs Police at 760-323-8116, or Valley Crime Stoppers at 760-341-STOP (7867).