New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez's
hair stylist has cited her opposition to gay marriage in refusing to
cut her hair.
According to KOB-TV
in Albuquerque, Antonio Darden, the owner of Antonio's Studio in
Santa Fe, abruptly decided Martinez was no longer welcome at his
business.
Darden said he previously cut the
governor's hair three times.
“The governor's aides called not too
long ago, wanting another appointment to come in,” Darden said.
“Because of her stances and her views on this, I told her aides no.
They called the next day, asking if I'd changed my mind about taking
the governor and I said no again.”
“I think it's just equality, dignity
for everyone,” said Darden, who is openly gay. “I think
everybody should be allowed the right to be together. My partner and
I have been together for 15 years.”
Martinez, a Republican, is not only
opposed to giving gay and lesbian couples the right to marry, she has
also said she would not sign legislation recognizing gay couples with
a domestic partnership.
“I would not sign the domestic
partnership bill,” Martinez said during her 2010 campaign. “It
is unnecessary and ill-advised, as most of the rights can be attained
through contracts and by power of attorney.”
(Related: “Don't
Say Gay” Stacey Campfield denied service over anti-gay views.)