BOSTON -- Three Lowell teenagers charged with beating up an openly gay man were freed on their own recognizance Monday.

Jeffrey Buchanan, Jules Ruggs and Jonathan Artis, all 19 years old, faced a judge Monday on charges ranging from civil rights violations to assault and battery.

Police said they jumped a 22-year-old man who was walking home from a club early Saturday morning.

James Nickola was bruised, battered, and suffered a severely cut lip during the attack.

Nickola said the three suspects shouted anti-gay slurs while beating him.