A New Mexico hairdresser just lost a big client.
Antonio Darden, owner of a Santa Fe area salon, has refused service to Republican Governor Susana Martinez because of her stance on gay marriage. Darden, who is openly gay, has styled Martinez’s hair a few times before but now he says he’s done.
“If I’m not good enough to be married, I’m not going to cut her hair,” Darden told the New Mexican in an interview. Darden has been with his partner for 15 years.
The governor’s office has since tried several times to schedule an appointment but Darden has not only refused he’s going to spread the word. In a phone message left at the governor’s office he said, “I am going to let all gay people know, ‘Stop serving you.’ ‘Stop providing you with what you need.” He added, “I don’t agree with her views on this. It’s not about a man and a woman. It’s about equality and it’s about dignity.”
The governor’s office later put out a statement saying while they don’t support gay marriage they do, “believe that all people should be judged on their merits and not discriminated against.” What do you think? Is Darden using a useful tactic? What if every minority refused service to politicians who spoke against their best interest? Groups like women, immigrants or gays? What do you think that would look like?
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