An Ohio man’s fight for free expression has paid off. William Saki has officially received his custom “GAY” license plate, months after filing a lawsuit challenging the state Bureau of Motor Vehicles’ ban on queer terms. In September, Saki sued state officials after the BMV rejected his attempt to register a plate reading “GAY,” a plate he hoped to debut on National Coming Out Day. In a sworn declaration, he noted the system also blocked “HOMO” and “F4G,” while allowing applications for anti-LGBTQ+ plates like “NO GAYS” and “NO FAGS.” His co-plaintiff, Cyrus Mahdavi, said the agency similarly rejected “MUSLIM” but approved “ATHEIST” and “HINDU.”
Just two days after the suit was filed, the BMV settled, agreeing to issue the plates and review its database to unlock words that don’t meet the legal standard of being “offensive, disparaging or socially insensitive.” Saki told WEWS he’s thrilled “Gay is who I am — it’s a fact and I’m proud of that… That’s my free speech they’re messing with at that point.” Now, when people point at his plate, “it puts a smile on my face… I’ll always remember this plate.” He hopes others will feel empowered to claim their identities too.
