A young man had reportedly received a brutal beating from three strangers for his gender non-conforming attire in Sydney, Australia, over the weekend.

Isaac Keatinge, 25, posted a photo of his bloodied face on Facebook on Sunday, reports Same Same, saying that he was targeted because he was wearing a dress and makeup in public.

The alleged attack took place in Sydney’s inner-west suburbs early Sunday morning. Keatinge was leaving a party in Redfern and walking alone towards King Street to get transportation home when three men approached him.

‘I was confronted by some straight men who didn’t appreciate the gorgeous gown or make up I was wearing,’ said Keatinge. ‘After cruel words, things escalated physically. I was pushed and punched rather severely.’

No help came during the savage assault, and Keatinge only got sent to the hospital after he stumbled back to the party with his injuries.

‘At some point I stumbled back towards the party and some people outside saw me when I rounded the corner.

‘The whole group was of course upset, but took me immediately to the ED at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.’

Keatinge sustained bruises and a cut on his forehead so deep that it required 15 stitches.

‘The doctors and nurses were amazing and stitched me up, despite the fact my forehead was broken open to my skull.

‘Almost went into Plastic for nerve care but thankfully around my eye area is just some bruising.’

Keatinge shared that he was glad that people were showering him with tons of support, which he described as ‘rather overwhelming, but so nice to feel.’

He had also gone to the police station to make an official statement:

‘I made a statement with the police last night, stating that I didn’t think the situation would have occurred if I wasn’t wearing a dress.

‘They already had a report from coming to the hospital soon after I arrived, and had started looking into it that night.

‘It was my first interaction with the police and it was a really positive one. Unfortunately they said there was a lot of these incidents that evening and lately in general.’

Newtown Local Area Commander, Superintendent Simon Hardman affirms that crimes as such will not be overlooked, and that intensive investigation is currently ongoing:

‘This report is extremely concerning and absolutely unacceptable. NSW Police will follow every avenue of investigation possible.

‘Police will investigate all motivations for alleged crime, including motivations of bias.’

Hardman hopes that those with information about the case would come forth by contacting Crime Stoppers (1800 333 000) or through the Crime Stoppers online reporting page.

‘Please stay safe, even around Newtown,’ Keatinge advises. ‘While I don’t ever want people to feel like they can’t express themselves, do stay with others. Safety in numbers.’

H/t: Same Same