Oklahoma City (AP) — An Edmond man says the Oklahoma Tax Commission denied a vanity license plate that supported the LGBT community.
John Patrick Keefe II says he wanted a personalized license plate that read “LGBTALY,” which is an abbreviated version of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender ally.
Keefe said he received a letter from the commission in December rejecting his request. He said he was told the phrase was sexual in nature when he asked why his plate was denied.
“I was shocked and I was dismayed that the prejudice and discrimination and the uneducated fearful bigotry shown by the Oklahoma Tax Commission in the 21st century would still be taking place,” Keefe told KFOR News.
While Keefe himself is heterosexual, he says the recent anti-gay bills spurred him to show his sign of support for the LGBT community.
Keefe says he has appealed the decision and plans to appear at a hearing before an administrative law judge.
A tax commission spokeswoman told The Oklahoman that requests are approved or denied by the rules and that the decisions aren’t political.
