Violent gay-bashing incidents in State College are nothing new to Bob, a 33-year-old University freshman with several friends and acquaintances who have been victimized.

But Bob gasped in surprise when he heard that four women had reportedly been harassed and violently attacked by several men and one woman amid anti-lesbian name-calling last weekend.

"That is totally disgusting," said Bob, who requested his last name be withheld. "I've had lesbian friends who were verbally abused, but it hasn't gone much further than that. That's one of the first situations I've heard of with women being beaten up by men."

The attack has prompted the group Direct Impact via Action (DIVA) to sponsor an anti-violence demonstration at 5 p.m. today at the intersection of East Beaver Avenue and Locust Lane.

According to fliers posted around campus by DIVA, that downtown intersection was the site of an attack against four women by 20 men and one woman.

"Shame and fear have kept us quiet until now," the fliers announce. "Enough is enough!"

Carrie A. Koza, a friend of two of the women who were reportedly attacked, plans to attend the demonstration today in hopes that "most people be aware that State College is not a pristine place, that violence does occur and that it be stopped."

Last weekend's incident is the first time she ever heard of a female gay-bashing incident in State College.

"Being a female, it's even scarier that nobody would do anything about it," said Koza (sophomore-economics).

For Rebecca Meyer of State College, also a friend of one of the victims, the demonstration will provide a good opportunity for concerned members of the community to take a stand against anti-gay attacks. But she is concerned that raising awareness may invoke more backlash against the gay community.

"I'm thinking that maybe it's going to get worse," Meyer said. "It seems the more we stand up for our rights, the more we get pounded into the ground."