At least four LGBTI men were bashed before Sydney’s Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras on the weekend, triple j Hack can reveal. Hack understands the attacks followed a similar pattern – the men were all pushed over and kicked repeatedly, near where the parade was due to be held, in the early hours of Saturday morning. It’s also understood two of the victims were a gay couple and attacked at the same time. It hasn’t surprised LGBTI groups who say it’s common for hate crimes to occur during events like Mardi Gras, although many are unaware of their frequency.