Fridae

A 38-year-old gay man who is still recovering in hospital after being knifed by two attackers has offered to help them get the counselling he says they need, according to a UK gay news website.

"I don't feel anger towards them. I feel more sorry for them than I do for me," the website quoted a local newspaper.

"In the past week there have been times when I have wanted to hit them but I think what I would like to do is meet them and ask them why they did something like this."

Andy Dunton, who is chairman of Brighton and Hove Pride committee, was robbed and stabbed twice in the stomach and hand by two hooded men as he walked along a footpath between Madeira Drive and Marine Parade in Brighton in the early hours of April 22. He said his attackers used the word "faggot" as they pulled the knife on him.

The 5ft 11in a bar manager and former bouncer underwent emergency surgery at the Royal Sussex County Hospital and afterwards doctors told him he was lucky to survive.

He added that although the attacks were hooded he believes that one of them was only a teenager of 14 or 15.

"I've been involved in the gay scene in Brighton all my adult life but I have never been singled out for my sexuality like this. I had no doubt why I was being attacked."

Dunton said he had been inundated with messages of support from the gay and straight communities.

"If anything good can come out of it, then I hope it might encourage more people to report homophobic attacks and lead to a better understanding between the two communities," he said.