rights
Hate pastor calls young man a "fa**ot" after brutally assaulting him in a viral video
By Daniel Villarreal at LGBTQ Nation
· July 8, 2026
· 3 min read
Radical hate pastor Tony Spell was recorded on police bodycam on June 25 calling his neighbor's 20-year-old son a "fa**ot," just two days after Spell was recorded on video attacking the young man. The attack required the young man to get stitches and resulted in Spell facing a second-degree battery
Key takeaway The bodycam video shows Spell sitting upon a riding mower at 4:51 a.
Why this matters
The violent assault and subsequent slur by Tony Spell, a radical hate pastor, against his neighbor's son highlights the severe consequences of hate speech and actions. This incident is a stark reminder of the varying levels of legal protections for LGBTQ+ individuals across states, with Louisiana being one of the states that lacks comprehensive protections. The fact that Spell faces a second-degree battery charge and up to eight years in prison if convicted underscores the gravity of the situation, but also raises concerns about the potential for similar incidents to occur in areas with less stringent laws. The National LGBTQ Task Force and other organizations have long advocated for stronger federal protections to prevent such hate-motivated violence. As this case unfolds, it will be crucial to watch how law enforcement and the justice system respond to ensure accountability and justice for the victim, and to prevent further incidents of hate-motivated violence.
About this story
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Category: rights ·
Published: July 8, 2026 ·
Source: LGBTQ Nation ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Radical hate pastor Tony Spell was recorded on police bodycam on June 25 calling his neighbor's 20-year-old son a "fa**ot," just two days after Spell was recorded on video attacking the young man. The attack required the young man to get stitches and resulted in Spell facing a second-degree battery
When was this published? This article was first published on July 8, 2026 by LGBTQ Nation and curated for LGBTQ News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Daniel Villarreal at LGBTQ Nation. To learn more about how LGBTQ News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more rights coverage from LGBTQ News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .