February 24, 2012 | Sex & Society

Gay judge refuses to marry straight couples

Some people say all is fair in love and war.

A Texas judge, who happens to be a lesbian, said that she will not marry another straight couple until gays and lesbians are able to wed.

“I do not perform [straight marriages] because it is not an equal application of the law. Period,” Dallas County Judge Tonya Parker said.

However, she added that she does take the time to explain to the couples her reasoning.

“I use it as my opportunity to give them a lesson about marriage equality in the state because I feel like I have to tell them why I’m turning them away,” she said. “So I usually will offer them something along the lines of, ‘I’m sorry. I don’t perform marriage ceremonies because we are in a state that does not have marriage equality, and until it does, I am not going to partially apply the law to one group of people that doesn’t apply to another group of people."

Parker is not the only gay person refusing certain patrons in an effort to promote gay rights. Antonio Darden, a hairdresser in New Mexico, has banned the state governor from his chair.

"I don't agree with her views on [gay marriage]. It's not about a man and a woman. It's about equality and it's about dignity," he said. So when her assistant called to book a hair appointment, he said no.

"Respectful, civil disobedience comes in all forms — from refusing to leave the back of a bus on account of one's skin color, to denying a haircut to the governor of the state of New Mexico for her opposition to same-sex marriage," said Nicholas Rimmer, a spokesman for Equality New Mexico.

It all adds up.

Gay Texas judge, Tonya Parker, won’t perform marriages for straight couples []

Stylist won't cut Martinez's hair over gay-marriage stance []