A former new hired with the New Mexico Livestock Board has filed a discrimination lawsuit alleging he was forced out of his position over his hairstyle — an account the agency disputes, maintaining that he voluntarily resigned and was never required to cut his hair as a condition of employment.
The American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico filed the complaint October 28 on behalf of Christian Patrick, a 20-year-old Black man who says he was told his hairstyle was not appropriate for interacting with livestock producers.
The lawsuit alleges the board violated the New Mexico Human Rights Act, which prohibits employment discrimination based on race, natural hair texture, and protective hairstyles under the state’s CROWN Act (Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair Act)…