Father Arrested For Threatening Daughter And Her Girlfriend With Knife Because She’s Gay

Police: Intoxicated Suspect Was ‘Angry and Agitated’ And ‘Ranted About His Daughter Being A Lesbian’

Enraged after discovering that his daughter is a lesbian, a Tennessee man allegedly threatened her and her girlfriend with a knife. 

Ike Wright was intoxicated when he learned of his daughter’s sexual orientation, and an argument ensued, Nashville’s Fox 17 reports. 

Wright took out a knife and waved it at his daughter, her girlfriend, and his son in “separate threatening actions,” according to police. 

When police arrived, Wright was “angry and agitated,” and “ranted about his daughter being a lesbian throughout the interaction.” He was arrested and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. 

Chris Sanders, executive director of the Tennessee Equality Project, shared Fox 17’s story on the group’s Facebook page. 

“Much work to do in the area of family acceptance in Tennessee,” Sanders wrote. 

Needless to say, this incident could have happened anywhere. But given all the anti-LGBT hatred in Tennessee of late, it wouldn’t be surprising to learn that it’s fueling anti-gay violence. 

In December, GOP state Rep. Mark Pody called same-sex marriage “wicked” and said God told him to introduce a bill aimed at undermining the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges. 

Although Pody’s bill was rejected by a legislative committee two weeks ago, 10 county commissions in Tennessee have adopted resolutions in support of it, and one group rallied outside the Capitol with a sign saying, “Cost of Tolerance: AIDS.”

Meanwhile, parents in one Tennessee town compared a new Gay Straight Alliance at the local high school to the terror group ISIS, while students wore “Straight Pride” in protest of the club. 

Fortunately, the hatred hasn’t gone unanswered. 

The GSA at Franklin County High School has received a huge outpouring of support, and last week LGBT advocates in Washington County shut down a commission meeting where the anti-gay resolution was set to be considered. One state legislative candidate in Washington County has even switched parties, from Republican to Democrat, in response to the resolution. 

Later this month, the Nashville Metro Council is expected to take up the state’s first resolution in support of marriage equality. And on Tuesday, the NHL’s Nashville Predators will host an LGBT Pride Night.

 

Image: Metro Police via Fox 17