Men Attacked After Leaving Popular Orlando Gay Club

Police said two groups of men were violently attacked and robbed as they left a popular Orlando gay club this week.

On Wednesday, Channel 9 Eyewitness News learned that though police were not calling the incidents hate crimes, the attacks did leave a lasting impression on their victims.

Mathew Allam and his partner Chad Cronon said they've spent many nights walking home from the Parliament House Resort on Orange Blossom Trail. But after what happened this week, they said they wouldn't be walking home again.

"I mean, he had a gun about two inches from my face," Matthew Allam said. "It was quite a traumatic experience."

Email News Sign-Up Multiple Choices - Auto sign-up (LEFT ALIGN) GET WFTV NEWS HEADLINES BY EMAIL 9 a.m. Headlines Noon Headlines 4 p.m. Headlines News of the Strange Breaking News Alerts The men said they were attacked and robbed as they returned home from the Orlando Fringe Festival awards. They said they had to use a trophy they won to fight back.

"I was able to use this 'Fabby Award' as a fabulous weapon to defend myself against this attack," said Chad Cronon. "When I did that, that's when the hammer came out, and I got popped in the back of my head. And as soon as I got hit in the head, Matthew got hit in the ribs and in nose, and we finally got away."

Police said there was a similar attack on two other men leaving the Parliament House two hours later. Both attacks came just days before Orlando Gay Days, a major event for the night club.

The club is now asking patrons to avoid parking on side streets. And for Gay Days this week, Parliament House said it's renting out the Citrus Bowl for parking and providing busses to the club.

The club also said it always hires off-duty Orlando police officers and brings in extra security during major events.