BUSHWICK — A transgender woman who was brutally attacked in a suspected anti-LGBT hate crime was released from the hospital three weeks after the incident — but is still suffering from a "serious traumatic brain injury" and needs 24-hour supervision, according to a nonprofit group working with her.
Kimy Hartman, 28, was beaten by four suspects who threw a Plexiglas board at her head, knocking her unconscious, breaking her eye socket and causing internal bleeding, police said.
The male attackers had been hurling loud, anti-gay comments at Hartman and a gay male friend before the incident on Oct. 12 on Bushwick Avenue near Halsey Street, police said.
Hartman left the hospital on Sunday but now must wear a helmet, take 10 medications every day, undergo rehab and be monitored around the clock at home, according to New Alternatives, a nonprofit for LGBT homeless youth where Hartman is a client.
New Alternatives is raising money to support Hartman and to help her cover costs for her car, which was towed while she was in the hospital, and her cellphone, which was taken by police as evidence, the group said. The NYPD declined to comment on cellphone.
As of Wednesday afternoon, the campaign had raised $4,220 of its $5,000 goal in three days.
The attack on Hartman was the second suspected anti-LGBT attack within a month in the neighborhood.
On Sept. 27, a gay man was shot in the buttocks by a group yelling anti-gay slurs on Broadway near Putnam Avenue, police said.
Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson hit accused shooter Matthew Smith, 21, with an attempted murder charge in hopes of sending a strong message against Brooklyn's recent influx of hate crimes.
Police are still investigating the assault against Hartman and there have been no arrests.
A video of two of the suspects showed one of them wearing a gray, sleeveless sweatshirt with the word "Freedom," a ski cap and gray sweatpants. The other wore a blue Nike hoodie with matching sweatpants.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS (8477) or to submit a tip online.
