DENVER -- Boulder police are investigating a second-degree assault as a possible hate crime after a woman said she was punched and kicked by two men when she told them she was gay.

Police said the woman called 911 just before 3 a.m. Wednesday saying she had been the victim of an assault, but she was unable to tell dispatchers where she was. The department was able to find her at 13th Street and Canyon Boulevard after using the Global Positioning System in her cell phone to track her.

The 21-year-old woman was taken to Boulder Community Hospital with serious facial injuries, police said.

She told investigators that two men she had met on the Pearl Street Mall made some sexual comments to her after she offered them a place to stay for the night.

"The victim told the suspects she was gay to rebuff their advances and that's when the assault took place," said Commander Greg Testa of the Boulder Police Department.

The woman, who is a student at Naropa University, told police one of the men punched her and then began kicking her when she fell. She said the other man told the assailant to stop, but did not physically intervene or help her.

"We are calling on the Boulder community to step up and support this victim." said Sonya Lewis, President of Boulder Pride. Several groups gathered Wednesday evening.

A statement from Boulder Pride said, "It's very important to recognize hate motivated violence as a hate-crime to ensure accountability and to validate an individual victim and community concern and fear about the possibility of future attacks."

While the advocacy group calls the incident a hate crime, the Boulder Police Department said it is investigating the attack as possibly "bias motivated."

Students at Naropa University in Boulder met Wednesday night to discuss the incident.

"The victim believed she was targeted because of her sexual orientation," said Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs Suzanne Benally.

The victim described both men between 18 and 21 years of age, about 5 feet 7 inches tall and skinny.

She said one man had blond hair down to his chin in a "Beatles-style" cut, and was wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt.

The other, she said, had short dark hair and was wearing a dress shirt with a sequined tie, and Mardi Gras beads around his neck, and that his name begins with the letter "D."

The victim said she believes both men said they were from California.

Anyone with information about the assault or the suspects is asked to contact Boulder investigators at 303-441-3330. Those who wish to remain anonymous can contact Boulder County Crime Stoppers at 303-440-STOP or submit tips at www.crimeshurt.com.

A peaceful march is being planned for Friday at 5 p.m. The march is set to begin at Boulder Pride Community Center at 2132 14th Street, and conclude at Boulder City Hall.