Student sues state after vanity tag request denied
“Would a personalized license plate that read IM GAY offend you?”
The Pioneer polled 792 students
21% said Yes
79% said No
Jennifer Pearsall/Pioneer
“I don’t care if it’s ‘IM GAY’ but I think you should stay neutral of politcal things. You shouldn’t be subjected to political hot button issues.”
—Grant Lanier
Business Major
Jennifer Pearsall/Pioneer
“Everyone has a right to express themselves. I don’t agree with it, but it wouldn’t offend me.”
—Rebekah John
Premed Major
Jennifer Pearsall/Pioneer
“They want to advertise and I’m not scared. It’s life, their life. Let them live it.”
—James Cox
Film and Video Major
Jennifer Pearsall/Pioneer
“Yes, I would be offended. First, because I’m not gay and second because it’s nobody’s business but your own.”
—Dionne Wilson
Child Development Major
Jennifer Pearsall/Pioneer
“I’d feel proud of the person for being themselves.”
—Renea Allison
Undecided Major
Jennifer Pearsall/Pioneer
“It doesn’t offend me …They aren’t trying to enforce their opinion.”
—Justin Neal
Writing Major
Jennifer Pearsall/Pioneer
“I’m comfortable with it. They have their own opinion and own right.”
—Emily Musick
Premed Major
Jennifer Pearsall/Pioneer
“I wouldn’t be offended. It takes a lot to offend me.”
—Scott Terry
Undecided Major
MARK SMITH
Feature Writing Student
An OCCC student has sued to get a statement of his sexual preference on his vehicle’s license plate.
Keith Kimmel, political science and pre-law major, filed a lawsuit Feb. 10 to force state officials to approve his request for a personalized tag that had IM GAY engraved on it.
However, the Oklahoma Tax Commission denied Kimmel’s request. The reason given was that it went against an internal rule against special license tags that “may be offensive to the general public.”
Kimmel said he applied in April for the license plate at a Norman tag agency.
He said he knew there was a chance he may be denied and was prepared to take his request higher if necessary.
As he anticipated, Kimmel was denied so he went to the Tax Commission’s headquarters at the state Capitol.
“I figured the person who takes the applications would deny me,” he said.
“But I expected that when I spoke to a supervisor, they would approve the tag.”
This, however, is not what happened, Kimmel said.
“It never occurred to me that the supervisor would deny me,” he said.
“After all, they have approved tags with more offensive language than IM GAY.
“It was a total surprise to me.”
After the Tax Commission’s internal appeals process proved fruitless, Kimmel said he decided to file the lawsuit in hopes that he could receive a ruling that will change the procedures by which the Tax Commission decides what is and is not offensive.
Kimmel said he is not seeking any type of fame or monetary gain.
He said he only wants to practice his constitutional freedom of speech.
“I am doing this to break down the walls that prevent gays from living normal and productive lives,” he said.
Several attempts were made to contact the Oklahoma Tax Commission and Kimmel’s attorney, Brittany Novotny. However, as of press time, the messages had not been returned.
For updates about this lawsuit, go to www.oscn.net, click on court dockets and search for Keith Kimmel.
Staff Writer Jennifer Pearsall contributed to this article.
