Suspect: God Made Me Hate Gay People

By Julie Bolcer

Robert Bellamy, Jr. x390 (mugshot) | ADVOCATE.COM

One of three suspects in an antigay hate crime that occurred early Sunday on Long Island in New York told police, “God made me hate gay people.”

Robert Bellamy Jr., 23 (pictured), is the only suspect apprehended thus far in the beating of two men, one of whom was dressed in drag — possibly for Halloween, police said — in Lakeview in Nassau County. The other two suspects are still at large.

Bellamy, who was charged with robbery and assault as a hate crime, blamed his alleged actions on a directive from a higher power, according to Newsday.

“Bellamy told police, ‘God made me hate gay people,’ court records show,” Newsday reported.

Police said the assailants shouted an antigay slur and then kicked and beat the two men, who were targeted because of their perceived sexual orientation. The attackers stole $7 from one of the victims. The victims suffered cuts and bruises.

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Reader Comments

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Name: Tim K
Date posted: 11/9/2009 6:32:22 PM
Hometown: San Jose, CA

Comment:
I must confess to a certain amount of sympathy for Robert Bellamy. Just a god made him hate homesexuals, god made me hate christians. I guess god really does work in myserious ways. Welcome to jail, Mr. Bellamy. Hope you enjoy your stay. :-P
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Name: Bill
Date posted: 11/9/2009 4:47:44 PM
Hometown: Boston

Comment:
I am disturbed at the way some people make comments that celebrate prison rape. This criminal deserves punishment as provided by a civilized society. Prison rape, all too common, is not an aspect of civilized society. Unfortunately it is far too common in the USA.
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Name: Scott
Date posted: 11/8/2009 10:17:08 PM
Hometown: Portland

Comment:
He is most likely mentally ill, if he is hearing voices telling him to hate other people. This is not uncommmon, however the reality of that some people have auditory hallucinations seems to be overlooked when they beileve " god" is speaking to them. He should be treated by a psychiatrist who can give him medication to help reduce the delusions and imporove the quality of his life. I feel sorry for the poor guy. Religion and schizophrenia/ psychosis are a very bad combination too as people with these types of illness are unable to differentiate between reality and made up ideas.
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Name: Franz
Date posted: 11/8/2009 5:17:02 AM
Hometown: Seattle

Comment:
Actually Satan told him to steal the $7 Mike LT. G-d might be destroying whole cities, flooding the Earth, and killing off humanity because of unholy peeps but he does not advocate stealing. *righteous indignation*
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Name: danw
Date posted: 11/7/2009 7:58:54 PM
Hometown: tarrytown

Comment:
Hmmmm..........ten bucks his breath smells of penis.
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Name: lisa
Date posted: 11/7/2009 6:35:21 PM
Hometown: new orleans

Comment:
Wow! That's a bold statement to make. I don't understand people who use the name of God for discrimination and violence. How would he have liked for some men to beat him because God made them to hate black people. Some people are just so ignorant that i don't know where they come from. How could a person inflict harm on someone that is living their own life? You don't know the person other than you hate their sexual orientation. They are not doing any physical harm to you, not affecting your life in no way,in fact, you are the one bothering them yelling anti-gay slurs interrupting their plans. That is a very weak person to be concerned with hating someone so much that it results in violence. Weak people suck!
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Name: MikeLT
Date posted: 11/7/2009 3:05:24 PM
Hometown: boston

Comment:
So, did God tell him to steal the $7 too?
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Name: Bruce
Date posted: 11/7/2009 12:55:20 PM
Hometown: NY

Comment:
Jay, you are right to say that the posting by Sam B is offensive and that his scriptural "facts" are confused. Your posting is not offensive, and I don't doubt your sincerity. But is the truth of the matter really as clear cut as you suggest? Consider the Westboro ("God hates fags") Baptist church; which God do they worship? However, it has been my good fortune to know that many Christians are like you, who accept me for who I am, as a human being, not a sexual orientation, who invite me to their homes along with straight friends, etc. They worship a loving God as you do. By the way, these include practicing Catholics. Although the homophobic Vatican exercises strong control over the official policy of the church, it cannot control every Catholic heart. Even many priests are tolerant, although they must express it carefully, i.e., they cannot openly disagree with church dogma because the authoritarian hierarchy is well known for its ruthless crushing of dissent within their ranks).
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Name: Jay
Date posted: 11/7/2009 11:15:41 AM
Hometown: Clarksburg

Comment:
Poor Sam B. He's been so traumatized by someone else believing in God that he condemns everyone of faith. Poor Sam...he also tries to tie the Christian God in with the Israelite God. Sorry to tell you this, Sam, but the God you were talking about...the vengeful one who sent the bears to kill the kids, and advocates stoning and all those other nasty practices? Well, he's the OLD Testament God...the Christian God would be the NEW Testament God. OLD Testament God=mean nasty old man sky god who'd kill you just as soon as look at you. NEW Testament God=Love. Either educate yourself, Poor Sam, or sit down in your corner and shut up.
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Name: Dan
Date posted: 11/7/2009 10:14:21 AM
Hometown: Pittsfield

Comment:
His legs will be so far over his head so soon after he's in jail it won't be funny. (Assuming he even does jail time).

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