REUTERS – “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett appeared on stage in West Hollywood less than a week after being attacked and spoke to enthusiastic fans on Saturday (February 2).

“I will only stand for love and I hope that you all stand with me”, Smollett can be heard saying.

Smollett, an openly gay African-American, spoke less than a week after he reported to Chicago police that he was attacked on Tuesday (January 29) by two men who shouted racist and homophobic slurs and put a rope around his neck.