Would you hire someone while infringing on his or her civil rights? New Mexico governor Susana Martinez does not seem to have a problem with this. Her hair stylist, Antonio Darden, is gay – and Governor Martinez does not believe in gay marriage.
Darden has refused to take appointments for Governor Martinez because of her stance on gay marriage, although the governor’s office has asked him more than once to reconsider. He comments that “I think it’s just equality, dignity for everyone. I think everybody should be allowed the right to be together.” He and his partner have been together for fifteen years.
Governor Martinez is the first Latina woman to be elected governor in the US. The Washington Post characterizes her as “becoming an important national star for a Republican Party lacking in diversity.” In the past, she has shown some willingness to work with members of the LGBT community who are “out.” When she appointed Doug Howe, an openly gay man, to serve on the Public Regulation Commission, she took some heat from pastor Steve Smothermom of the Legacy Church in Albuquerque. On February 6, 2012, the Democracy for New Mexico website reported that the pastor was disgusted because “Martinez had the audacity to appoint a gay man to the PRC.” Governor Martinez did not address pastor Smothermom’s views, however, leaving Senator Tim Z. Jennings to speak out in support of this appointment.
New Mexico has a history of voters believing in “traditional marriage.” The website Public Policy Polling notes that 30% of the population would oppose all recognition of gay couples, whether in a marriage or in a civil union. Governor Martinez’ attendent opposition to gay marriage is shown by her support for the Christian Coalition’s Federal Marriage Amendment to prevent same-sex marriage. She has not demonstrated any stance on family issues, so her position on adoption by gay couples can only be inferred. Sarah Palin has endorsed her as “Mama Grizzly,” comparing her to Michelle Bachman and noting that women like her “are at the forefront of a new wave of strong, confident American women who are positively affecting not just the Republican Party, but America itself. They’re building businesses, leading men & women in government – and, while they’re at it, raising families.” While Governor Martinez’ official website states that among her priorities are “transparency and ethics” in government, a search for “gay marriage” returned no results.
As someone who is considered to be on the Vice-Presidential shortlist, Governor Martinez’ stance is doubly upsetting. First of all, it represents the hypocrisy of those in the United States who are willing to employ minorities but then exploit hatred of them for political purposes. What is the difference between Martinez’ hiring of Darden and those who talk tough on illegal immigration while hiring individuals as live-in maids? Should someone running for chief of police be allowed to buy small bags of marijuana for personal use while crusading for drug enforcement? If we expect these people to actually walk their talk, shouldn’t Martinez, who has built her career on “creating a brighter future for children and families“ allow her constituents to decide who will actually constitute these families?
Secondly, it demonstrates a general misunderstanding of the nature of civil rights. No one in the United States is required to marry someone of a different race, but the government now supports the rights of those who do so. Citizens are not required to be personally accepting of differing lifestyles however, they are expected to live and let live. In other words, if someone does not want to be in a gay relationship, that is OK with the government – however, expecting others to live according one’s own personal values is considered an impingement on civil rights. As a member of the GOP, Martinez belongs to a party that claims to be against government intrusion into the private lives of citizens – except, of course, when it is a matter of “protecting the sanctity of marriage.”
In Martinez’ defense, she is a member of the current GOP, which has shown an increasing unwillingness to tolerate dissent within the party. As Republican Charlie Dent of Pennsylvania states, the biggest “big tent” danger is that of diluting the GOP ideals “the more of our folks who defect on these consequential votes simply emboldens … the Democrats.” (sic) Attempting to govern wisely while belonging to a party which endorses groupthink over rational dialouge is surely a challenge. However, as one crafting a political career as a double minority – she is both female and Latina – how can she ignore the civil rights of the LGBT community?
