Yeah, who are gay people to expect that being beaten, choked, and threatened with murder should result in prison sentences for the assailants?
I myself think 3 years seems on the light side.
Do you have proof that people convicted of similar assaults on victims who were not gay routinely received lesser sentences?
We subject people to tougher sentences who use guns to commit crimes to send a message that such acts will not be tolerated.
What's wrong with sending a message that beating and choking people solely because they are gay will not be tolerated?
Because they are gay?
Do some research, and you'll discover that if someone is attacked solely because they are white or male or Christian, the perpetrator can also be charged with this act.