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Personalized License Plate Becomes Passion For Free Speech

College student wants "IM GAY" on plate

Updated: Thursday, 18 Feb 2010, 4:17 AM MST
Published : Wednesday, 17 Feb 2010, 10:54 AM MST

A college student wants a personalized license plate, but what he wants it to read is stirring up controversy.

Keith Kimmel wants "IM GAY" on his Oklahoma plate. The state tax commission denied him, stating it was offensive, so he filed a lawsuit. 

A judge sided with him, but the commission is still refusing to issue the plate. Kimmel says he's not giving up.

"It's free speech. I mean, the Constitution trumps the ability to be offended. I mean, we all have the right to speak. Free speech isn't free unless everybody is included, including viewpoints that you don't necessarily agree with." 

Kimmel accuses the commission of double standard practices, pointing out other license plates that refer to "straight" behavior.  The commission's defense: those plates slipped through the cracks.

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