An Atlanta man is suing the Georgia Department of Driver Services claiming that his rights were violated after his application for a vanity plate that refers to his sexual orientation was rejected.
Cyrus Gilbert says he was stunned when he tried to get a personalized plate and was kept from doing so.
His three choices, "4GAYLIB," "GAYPWR," and "GAYGUY," were all denied.
"It infuriates me. Just because it's – why is my question. It's a very simple question but some people can't seem to answer it," Gilbert said.
Cyrus and his attorney, Cynthia Counts, have filed a federal lawsuit against the commissioner of the Georgia Department of Driver Services.
Exhibit B of the lawsuit is a document of hundreds of banned tags.
"Certainly it violates free speech rights. These are social and political ideas. And even just facts: who you are. Gay man, virgin, and they're banning that. That's certainly not permissible under First Amendment. It's too restrictive," Counts said.
Counts and Gilbert say the process is arbitrary. For example, one driver's tag says "HOT Z", but "IMHOTT" is on the banned list.
"It's almost kind of like a pick and choose. They've allowed certain words and certain sayings, but then something that sounds almost the same exact, but maybe like different number or a different letter, they've banned," Gilbert said.
Gilbert said that he wants his personalized tag out of the lawsuit.
The GA Dept. of Driver Services has until the end of the month to respond.
FOX 5 called Driver Services for comment, but they referred us to the attorney general's office. That office said that they're not commenting because of the pending lawsuit.
Saturday, May 25 2013 4:19 PM EDT2013-05-25 20:19:38 GMT
Georgia stands to lose $1.8 million in funding because state officials refuse to participate in a federal survey that asks high school and middle school students about their sexual history.
Georgia stands to lose $1.8 million in funding because state officials refuse to participate in a federal survey that asks high school and middle school students about their sexual history.
Saturday, May 25 2013 3:54 PM EDT2013-05-25 19:54:41 GMT
Georgia Insurance Commissioner Ralph Hudgens is reminding Georgians to check their insurance policies for hurricane coverage as National Hurricane Preparedness Week approaches.
Georgia Insurance Commissioner Ralph Hudgens is reminding Georgians to check their insurance policies for hurricane coverage as National Hurricane Preparedness Week approaches.
Friday, May 24 2013 11:06 PM EDT2013-05-25 03:06:52 GMT
If you're hitting the road this weekend, you wont be alone. Plenty of drivers are expected to make use of the long Memorial Day weekend, both in and out of town.
If you're hitting the road this weekend, you wont be alone. Plenty of drivers are expected to make use of the long Memorial Day weekend, both in and out of town.
Friday, May 24 2013 11:00 PM EDT2013-05-25 03:00:01 GMT
An Army Reserve sergeant surprised his daughter by returning from an overseas deployment and presenting her with her diploma at high school graduation.
An Army Reserve sergeant surprised his daughter by returning from an overseas deployment and presenting her with her diploma at high school graduation.
