“I like it rough,” Norton said after being attacked by cross-dressers in Buffalo.

Comedian Jim Norton, in Buffalo for a series of shows at a new comedy club in the “Queen City,” was attacked by a group of cross-dressing Sabres fans and former Sabre Derek Roy.

The group, officially known as “Pretty Little Sabres,” are local hockey dads who enjoy wearing dresses under their Sabres jersey. They are frequently accompanied by Roy, who was in town for the monthly group meeting.

The altercation started when Norton noticed the group of middle-aged men in dresses and hockey jerseys and made an off-color comment, according to witnesses.

“[Norton] ordered a drink and when he saw the Pretty Little Sabres, he said, ‘Jesus – that is about the ugliest bunch of trannies I’ve ever seen!’”

At that point, one of the Pretty Little Sabres, known as “Steve,” got up and explained to Norton that they were not “trannies,” but cross-dressers.

Witnesses say Norton attempted to proposition Steve, pictured above.

“We dress in clothing that is culturally associated with members of the ‘other” sex,’” Steve told Norton. “Most cross-dressers are heterosexual and conduct their cross-dressing on a part-time basis. Cross-dressers cross-dress for a variety of reasons, including pleasure, a relief from stress and a desire to express ‘opposite’ sex feelings to the larger society. Cross-dressing might also be termed gender non-conforming behavior.”

Witnesses say that Norton then tried to proposition Steve and offered him $200 to  come back to his hotel room.

The move infuriated Derek Roy, who overheard the conversation between Steve and Norton.

“How dare you!” Roy said. “Buffalo pride!”

Norton replied: “Buffalo pride? What is that? A bunch of gay bisons?”

“Buffalo pride!” Roy said before attacking comedian Jim Norton.

At that point, Roy attacked Norton and the rest of the Pretty Little Sabres followed. Bystanders tried to stop the assault, but the high amount of hair wigs and heels made it impossible for anybody else to get near.

Although Norton was severely beaten, he emerged form the assault sexually excited.

“Those dirty hags were feisty,” he said as paramedics put him on a stretcher. “I like that.”

Norton’s agent said the comedian is not expected to miss any of his shows at the new Helium Comedy Club Dec. 28 – 31.