American Civil Liberties Union Suit Against Indiana Bureau Of Motor Vehicles On Behalf Of Indiana Youth Group Dismissed Allowing Gay Youth Advocacy Group To Reapply For Speciality License Plate

A federal lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union on behalf of the Indiana Youth Group against the state Bureau of Motor Vehicles after it denied a request to create a speciality license plate for the group that advocates and supports gay teens has been dismissed, the Indianapolis Star reporting that the action now allows the Indiana Youth Group to file a new request for a plate, according to its executive director Mary Byrne. The license plates are prized since they are the source of considerable funds, as well as raising the public profile of sponsoring organizations. The Indiana Youth Group has twice been denied in its request for a plate, Byrne saying “Basically, what they said is that if we submit a new application and make it perfectly clear that we will not use any of the money for administrative expenses – that all the money will go to programming – it is likely we will be able to get a license plate.” A spokesperson for the BMV, Denis Rosebrough, confirmed that the suit filed in United States District Court September 23rd, 2010, by the ACLU, has been dismissed, but added that the terms of agreement are confidential and the details could not be discussed. The Indiana Youth Group initially claimed in the suit that the BMV employs arbitrary and unconstitutional standards to either approve or deny plates for non-profits, and that they refused to make clear why the youth group application was denied. The BMV countered that the IYG was turned down twice because it failed to provide substantive evidence that its service have a state-wide impact and that they intended to use the funds raised to pay staff salaries. Rules prohibit using proceeds from the plates to cover operating expenses. “We’ll have to start the application process all over, and it was a lot – a lot – of work,” said Byrne. “But, bottom line, this is what we wanted: to know why we weren’t Ok’d and a chance to try again.” Founded in 1987, the Indiana Youth Group provides services and support for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender youth, operating a youth center in Indianapolis, and supporting Gay-Straight Alliances at an estimated 30 Indiana high schools. Byrne added that “Young people who are going through this really need a safe place where they can go. Without that, the isolation and the effects of that isolation can be mammoth in their lives. What we’re trying to do is create a place that helps them find like people and services so they know they are not alone.”