A transgender Army reservist has been denied a haircut at a California barbershop recently, with its Christian owner saying that his religious belief forbids him from cutting women's hairs.
Kendall Oliver, who served in the Afghanistan war, made an online appointment at The Barbershop in the Los Angeles suburb of Rancho Cucamonga. But when he showed up to get his hair cut, he was refused service by shop owner Richard Hernandez who said they only cut men's hair, Charisma News reported.
Oliver said he identifies as male but was told outright, "It doesn't matter ma'am, we still won't cut a woman's hair.''
"I was very offended,'' Oliver told Los Angeles TV Station KNBC.
"I don't think that's how someone should be discriminated against, whether they identify as male or female or transgender. A person is a person,'' he added.
In California, it is illegal for businesses to discriminate against customers because of their gender, gender identity or sexual orientation. The barbershop owner is currently facing scrutiny for his actions against LGBT members.
Hernandez said he did not turn away the transgender veteran because of his sexual orientation.
"I have religious convictions that prevent me from cutting women's hair," he told CBS-LA.
"It's a shame for a man to have long hair, but if a woman has long hair, it's her glory and it speaks to being given to her as her covering, and I don't want to be one who is taking away from her glory.''
According to him, he is a member of the Church of God and that his faith precludes him from cutting the hair of a woman, "even if they identify themselves as a man."
And even if others may think that his acts were discriminating, Hernandez expressed belief that the law is on his side because the Constitution upholds his religious rights.
