Alabama Says ‘NOHOMO’ Is A-OK

The State of Alabama has issued a license plate that reads “no homo.” 

In the State of Alabama, like most states, a motorist can purchase a vanity license plate, for about $73. One motorist managed to apply for and receive vanity plates that read “no homo.” Or, more specifically, “NOHOMO.”

Unlike many states, Alabama does not post rules for what is acceptable or not in a vanity plate. Rather, motorists wishing a specialized, personalized plate go to the Alabama Dept. of Revenue’s website, type in the word or letters they want on their plate, and if it’s available the system will reserve it for them. 

This photo, taken in an Atlanta parking lot and sent to The New Civil Rights Movement, clearly seems to have made it through Alabama’s loose system without a hitch.

But “no homo” is considered insulting and derogatory by many, especially in the LGBT community.

“In a sense, ‘no homo’ is just a more evolved way of calling someone a ‘faggot’ — and evolved partly in that it’s more clever,” Nick Catucci at New York Magazine wrote.

It’s also a way for straight people, mostly men, to be able to express their emotions without people thinking they’re gay – which is why it’s anti-gay in the first place.

Just walking through a Twitter search shows “no homo” is alive and well, sadly.

 

Image by Scott Johnston
Hat tip: Paul Fulton, Jr.