It isn’t glitter-bombing, but it may be just as effective at getting attention for gay rights.
New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez, once reportedly shortlisted by Mitt Romney’s campaign as a possible veep (she says she wasn’t interested), fielded questions this week about a hair salon she hasn’t visited in months. The reason? Her former hairdresser, Antonio Darden, said he refused to take an appointment by Martinez until she changed her stance on allowing gay couples to get married.
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“The governor’s aides called not too long ago, wanting another appointment to come in,” Darden, who is gay, said to local station KOB TV. “Because of her stances and her views on this I told her aides no.” In a since-released voicemail that Darden made to Martinez’s office, he wondered why she wouldn’t support a group that “generates gross receipts taxes, owns businesses, homes and actually was a supporter of hers.”
The governor had a retort ready. “I hadn’t gone back in ten months, so I guess that decision was made by me long ago,” Martinez said about making a hair appointment with Darden to KOAT TV. Her office also told the local station that she didn’t know why the stylist called attention to the issue at this particular moment.