Hairdresser Refuses Anti-Gay Marriage Governor
2.22.2012
By Alex Taylor Williams
Photo courtesy of Aaron Nace
It is said that behind every great woman is a great gay man—or something like that. Whether it is Condoleeza Rice spending thousands at Ferragamo on Fifth Avenue or Michelle Obama decked out in Jason Wu, it's no secret that many of our country's most powerful female leaders enjoy getting dressed everyday and at much credit to gays in the fashion industry.
There is a definite power share between the two worlds which one hairdresser in Santa Fe, New Mexico decided to take into his own hands. NY Mag reports, Antonio Darden a "popular stylist" in Santa Fe, has cut the hair of Republican governor Susana Martinez three times before, but recently decided to end his services because of her stance on marriage equality.
Darden states, "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 [gay marriage] I told her aides no. They called the next day, asking if I'd changed my mind about taking the governor in and I said no again."
Looks like Susana is S.O.L.
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For every silver lining there's a double edged sword. Turn the other cheek or gouge eye for eye. In the private sector Dardin still has the freedom of choice in his order of business. Same cannot be said for the govenor unless during her sworn in statement she was permitted to omit the Oath of Office - I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of ... the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."
Personally, I would have employed SWS(sheep/wolf strategy):doubled the dime on my time and given her a donation receipt from the cause. NM GLBT and other states may also be interested in the petition site Change.org
Well done! *big applause*
Why on earth anyone would let politics get in the way of business is beyond me. I don't like all of my clients, nor do I agree with all of their ideas, or political positions. Yet I am able to be professional, and do business with them regardless.
Moreover, by refusing to interact with Martinez, Darden has extinguishing any hope of engaging her in conversation, and eliminated any hope of encouraging her to his side of the social debate.
Playground politics. Sad.
I'm proud of him. You're right, refusing business on the basis of political nature isn't easy, but I would hardly call it "playground politics". This man obviously gained the upper hand as he's gained enough publicity to inspire other business owners/employees of the LGBTQQIA community to do the same.
I think this was a very powerful move and I applaud him. He doesn't NEED to engage her in conversation. That's not his job; and if this is the way he gets his point across, then so be it. Not every social justice move has to be verbal discourse -- and sometimes, actions really do speak louder than words.
YOU GO BOY!
This is capitalism at its best, Milo. Darden has every right to refuse business to whomever he'd like. I live in NM and this was not only a political move, but a business move for Darden. Thousands of New Mexicans are applauding him and this is seriously boosting his business. Your comment is what's "sad."
The photo that you are sourcing, although you may have gotten it from that website, it is NOT from that location. It is by a photographer named Aaron Nace: www.aaronnace.com or http://www.flickr.com/photos/aknacer/3186174979/in/photostream to be exact.
I hope that you fix the mistake.
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