A new license plate in Indiana is the first of its kind—one that celebrates LGBT youth. It is believed to be only the second LGBT-specific plate in the United States, after Maryland.
The plate is a project of Indiana Youth Group (IYG), an organization that operates a center for LGBT youth and helps schools from Gay Straight Alliances.
According to an IYG statement, the plate is intended to raise awareness about services available to LGBT youth in Indiana. Every plate sold will bring in $25 for LGBT youth programs. The plate is available for purchase now.
"It makes a huge statement to the wider community that these youth are important and will hopefully let many more youth know that IYG exists," said Mary Byrne, executive director of IYG, in a statement. "We are thrilled that the community now has the opportunity to show their pride and support of LGBTQ youth by purchasing our specialty license plate."
The project has been four years in the making. The organization first applied for the license plate in March 2008 but was rejected. After another denied application, the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana filed suit. The state approved the plate as part of a settlement.
LGBT-rights activists have hailed the new license plate as an unlikely win for a state without a single openly LGBT person in its legislature.
