Oklahoma guy is gay, wants his car’s plate to say it
Feb.25, 2010 in
Video
To summarize, Oklahoma doesn't want his license plate to say IM GAY even though other plates with "ST8" invloved have gotten through multiple times and it all seems a bit double-standardy. In addition dude is pretty cute even if he's wearing the worst hat in the history of the world, ever. Enjoy the guy with a point and lots of awkwardness. [TowleRoad]
February 25th, 2010 at 12:18 pm
Good luck to you Mr. Kimmel. I am sorry that had to happen to you. You are right. It is a double standard and discriminatory for a State to allow an “IM STR8″ license plate but not an “IM GAY” one. I hope they get fined and punished for that too.
February 25th, 2010 at 11:50 pm
I understand his view point and I totally agree that this is blatant discrimination, but why advertise your sexuality on your bumper? I’m not opposed to being open about your sexuality but sometimes I think that people go over the top with it. I don’t see my sexuality as being something to be proud of OR ashamed of, I am the way I am and I’m happy with it. To take pride in your primal instincts is useless. Take pride in your accomplishments, not your sexuality. Take pride in your bravery to come out, not the subject behind your coming out. To point out one’s sexuality is to say, “Hey, I’m different.” My view is that I’m NOT different because of my sexuality. Everything else in my life is what makes me different. My homosexual orientation is subtext.
That said, I do feel as though he should have the right to have whatever he wants on his license plate. This is America, why should anybody have to worry about what others think?
February 26th, 2010 at 12:10 am
^smartest person on the internet
February 26th, 2010 at 6:48 am
This is the most awkward interview I’ve ever watched.
February 26th, 2010 at 10:04 am
Greg, visibility is hugely important. It’s not about making a lot of noise for no purpose, it’s about letting people know that there is a certain part of the population that can be invisible to a lot of people, and is easy to pretend they don’t exist. Growing up in Oklahoma, if you’re closeted and scared and feel like you’re all alone, seeing something like this can be hugely empowering. Hell, even growing up in a big city like I did, seeing gay bumper stickers in my neighborhood was a huge relief when I was coming out. I can only imagine what it’s like in a small town, or rural area.
February 26th, 2010 at 3:17 pm
That’s absolutely true, however I think his point is that outside of the current symbolic need to be able to express yourself in that way, the actual action of doing it seems somewhat pointless. This comes to a larger problem with the view of “pride.” It isn’t necessary that we be “proud” of being gay, merely that we are not ashamed of it. For instance, imagine someone having a license plate that says “IHAVEREDHAIR” or something. I think I’m safe in presuming that most people would find this a useless exercise because hair color isn’t something that merits “pride” in the sense that its not something that is “achieved” in any way. My sexuality is the same way, its merely a product of my genetic makeup, and when I say I’m “proud” to be gay, it merely means I have no reason to be ashamed of it. However, given the current socio-political climate in Oklahoma, gestures like this are useful for getting us to the point where sexuality is seen in the same way as hair color.
February 26th, 2010 at 7:07 pm
Ryan – I wouldn’t find a “IHAVEREDHAIR” license plate useless – the point is, I don’t care if that’s what someone has on their license plate. It doesn’t offend me, bother me, or change my life in the least. That should be the point with this, also.
February 26th, 2010 at 8:54 pm
he said the saying wrong, he said half dozen of one two dozen of another.
its meant to be Six of one, Half dozen of another.
made me lol
February 26th, 2010 at 10:39 pm
Fair point, Dedos, but why does his license plate have to say, “IMGAY”? Can’t it say something more purposeful like “Equality”?
February 27th, 2010 at 9:58 pm
Greg, I think pointing out inequality is very “purposeful”, don’t you?
February 28th, 2010 at 3:32 am
“Can’t it say something more purposeful like “Equality”?”
You just reiterated something I already said. I can’t tell if you’re trying to disagree with me, so restate your point please.
March 1st, 2010 at 10:10 am
Greg: it could say a lot of things. The point is equality for allowing IMSTR8 tags. Either way, I hope this Mr. Kimmel’s message has been made.
March 1st, 2010 at 3:08 pm
the hat is the funniest thing
March 1st, 2010 at 4:47 pm
Dedos, you’re not getting my point.
I AGREE that people should be able to put whatever they want on their license plate.
However, I don’t understand the need to proclaim one’s sexuality in such a blunt way. It’s NOT as effective as supporting equality. Put that on your bumper, not the simple fact that you’re gay. He’s responding to “IMSTR8″ license plates, I get it, I really do, but he’s not making a good point by emulating those he opposes.
I refer back to my previous points. He’s overly proud of being gay and needs to find something else to put on his license plate that has the same effect that’s less stupid.
March 1st, 2010 at 4:52 pm
continuing -
Visibility is important and it’s great that he’s the one to do this, but he’s not the representation of gay culture that I want. He’s too proud of simply being something that deserves no pride. Again, I refer back to my first post.
March 1st, 2010 at 5:35 pm
This argument is going nowhere because you aren’t arguing about the same thing.
March 1st, 2010 at 9:00 pm
Greg, you’re assuming this overarching “pride” from nowhere, really. In the video, he states that, yes, he does view himself as an activist. I truly doubt this stems from ego.
March 2nd, 2010 at 2:43 pm
That’s actually what I was trying to say, Ryan, thank you. I wasn’t sure how to draw this to a close but you said it quite nicely.
March 31st, 2010 at 4:28 pm
This story went from kinda cool and cute to sad very fast.
http://www.queerty.com/queerty-reader-keith-kimmel-found-dead-20100331/
March 31st, 2010 at 9:30 pm
Yeah, I just read that this morning. Totally shocked!
April 2nd, 2010 at 7:57 am
Indeed. Strange stuff, condolences to those who knew him.