New Mexico Livestock Board: Faces Locs Discrimination Lawsuit Over Firing

• Christian Patrick was fired from his livestock brand inspector job in New Mexico after three days because of his locs hairstyle.
• His superior, Barry Allen, deemed his hair "unpresentable" and gave him an ultimatum to cut it or lose his job.
• Patrick is suing the New Mexico Livestock Board for race-based discrimination, citing violations of the New Mexico Human Rights Act.
• The lawsuit highlights the New Mexico CROWN Act, which prohibits discrimination based on hair texture and protective hairstyles.
• The board's employee handbook does not require short hair, contrasting with the "conservatively short" standard of a related law enforcement academy.

The ongoing legal proceedings will likely set a precedent for how New Mexico’s anti-discrimination laws, especially those pertaining to hairstyle, are interpreted and enforced, emphasizing the need for clear, non-discriminatory policies to mitigate legal risks.

Christian Patrick, a 19-year-old from Texas, relocated to New Mexico to begin a new role as a livestock brand inspector in Carlsbad. Just three days into his employment, Patrick faced an unexpected ultimatum regarding his appearance. His superior, Barry Allen, who serves as the board’s chief law enforcement officer, informed him that his hairstyle—locs styled into a bun—was deemed "unpresentable" for interactions with livestock producers.

Despite having previously confirmed with Human Resources Manager Stephanie Lujan and his direct supervisor, Daniel Dictson, that his hair would not pose an issue, Patrick was presented with a choice: alter his hairstyle or lose his job. Patrick, an experienced bull rider with a background in ranch work and Future Farmers of America, ultimately decided against cutting his hair. He communicated this decision to Dictson, who then relayed it to Allen, leading to Patrick's termination. Patrick's attorneys later asserted that Allen provided no other reason for deeming him unqualified for the position beyond his hairstyle.

Following his dismissal, Patrick, represented by the American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico, initiated a lawsuit against the New Mexico Livestock Board. The complaint, filed in Bernalillo County, alleges race-based employment discrimination, asserting that the board violated the New Mexico Human Rights Act. Attorneys for Patrick contend that Allen’s statement about the hairstyle being "unpresentable," without further explanation, clearly indicated that his actions were motivated by Patrick’s race and a hairstyle commonly associated with individuals of his racial background.

The legal challenge also draws upon the New Mexico CROWN Act, a significant piece of legislation signed into law in 2021 by Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. This act specifically prohibits discrimination based on hair textures and protective hairstyles, including locs. Allen had cited Executive Director Belinda Garland as the source of concern, suggesting Patrick's hair might violate grooming standards for the Southeastern New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy, which he would need to attend for certification. The academy's standards mandate hair be "conservatively short," though Garland herself noted the academy's rules might differ from the livestock board's. Notably, the New Mexico Livestock Board’s own 2024 employee handbook specifies that hair must be kept clean and neatly trimmed, but does not impose a requirement for short hair.

This case underscores critical issues for employers in New Mexico regarding grooming policy compliance and the enforcement of anti-discrimination laws. The lawsuit highlights the potential for subjective appearance standards to lead to race-based discrimination, particularly concerning hairstyles protected under the New Mexico Human Rights Act and the CROWN Act. The incident has also garnered public attention, with commenters on a Facebook post from New Mexico for Equine Rights and Open Government pointing out that female livestock board inspectors have been pictured with long ponytails and buns, styles similar to Patrick’s.

Public sentiment, as reflected in online comments, labeled the situation as "obvious racism" and a "sad example of humanity," urging the Governor to intervene. Patrick himself wrote to Governor Lujan Grisham, though he reportedly received no response. The ongoing legal proceedings will likely set a precedent for how New Mexico’s anti-discrimination laws, especially those pertaining to hairstyle, are interpreted and enforced, emphasizing the need for clear, non-discriminatory policies to mitigate legal risks.

Employers and compliance officers in New Mexico must review their grooming policies to ensure they comply with the New Mexico Human Rights Act and the CROWN Act, specifically regarding hairstyles like locs, to avoid race-based discrimination lawsuits. This case highlights the legal risks associated with subjective appearance standards and the need for clear, non-discriminatory policies.

Source: Original reporting via Courthouse News