The father of a Wairarapa man who died in hospital after a brutal attack in a local park says he is "hurt" at rumours circulating that his son was gay.

"I can assure you he was not gay, he had a lot of girlfriends but he did have gay friends," Jack Irons told the Wairarapa Times-Age of his son Paul.

"Paul just took everyone at face value, his nature was to be non-judgmental," he said.

Irons, 36, was found lying in bushes in Featherston Park last Thursday morning with his pants down around his ankles, scratches on his midriff and serious head injuries. He died in hospital a few days later.

Three young men are now out on bail in connection with Iron's death. They will reappear at Masterton District Court next week.

More on this story is on the Wairarapa Times Age website, linked below.