Salem LGBT activist spit on during brutal attack

SALEM, Mass. (MyFoxBoston.com) – An LGBT activist was brutally attacked outside of a Salem gas station Tuesday afternoon.

Gary Gill, also known as "Duchess Gigi" around Salem, was spit on, slapped, bitten and referred to as an anti-gay slur at the Hess station on Derby Street. It all happened after Gill saw a man criticizing a woman.

"He was calling her every name in the book," Gill said.

The man, Michel Coty, did not react well when he saw Gill looking at him and the woman. Gill told Coty he didn't agree with what he was saying to the woman and that he was going to call police. Coty then allegedly hit, bit and verbally assaulted Gill.

Coty is now facing charges of assault, two counts of assault and battery and a civil rights violation with bodily injury. The Salem resident pleaded not guilty to the charges during his arraignment where his lawyer maintained the attack on Gill was self-defense. Gill disagrees.

Coty has a lengthy criminal record including violent crimes. His bail was set at $25,000 cash and he was ordered to stay away from Gill if released. Coty is due back in court in July.

Cox Media Group