Homophobic Number Plates Banned

<h1>Homophobic Number Plates Banned</h1>Author: <a title="Jayne Henry" href="http://www.articlesbase.com/authors/jayne-henry/92156.htm">Jayne Henry</a> Homophobic Number Plates Banned The first week of October saw what is possibly a unique situation brought up for the Driving and Vehicle Licensing Agency.   Not usually known for their risky nature or controversial stances outside of motoring legislation, the DVLA removed two license plates that were to be sold at an auction after a complaint from the gay rights charity Stonewall.   The group, which enjoys support from celebrities such as Alan Carr and Dannii Minogue, contacted the agency about two plates featuring a collection of numbers and letters that could very easily be interpreted as ‘Faggot’ and ‘Dykes’, derogatory terms for gay men and women respectively.   The plates ‘F4 GOT’ and ‘D1 KES’ had reserves of £900 each, and Stonewall said they objected to people, especially government agencies, “making profit from insults”.   After the complaint, the plates were withdrawn from the auction, and the following statement was issued by the DVLA:   “We have a responsibility to ensure that the combinations used on registration marks do not cause general upset or offence. Having reviewed the appropriateness of the registration marks F4 GOT and D1 KES, we have withdrawn these marks on the grounds of the clear potential offence they may cause.”   Similar withdrawals have been made for licence plates that contain “JE” and “HAD”, which are fairly easy to interpret as “JIHAD”, and combinations that include ‘666’.   The guidelines have relaxed somewhat though. The DVLA previously would never have dreamed of auctioning off a plate like “N4 KED”, but that is to be left in the auction that “F4 GOT” and “D1 KES” have been removed from. “701 LET” or ‘Toilet’ also sold recently.   The sale of personalised license plates through auction by the DVLA began in 1989, and has brought in a large amount of profit for them each year. The 2008 financial year saw them bring in £80,700,000, and that is not set to drop by too much this year.   What the future holds for license plates, and what interesting new combinations we will see emerge and be subsequently banned as different words pick up offensive connotations, will be rather interesting both linguistically and to see the slow shuffle of government agencies in progress.About the Author: Jayne Henry of Speedy Registrations Ltd - speedyreg.co.uk. Speedy Registrations have been supplying number plates to the public since 1984. Based in Northern Ireland we also specialise in Irish number plates. They aim to provide a choice of personalised number plates to meet all requirements. For interviews, quotes, images or comments contact: Jayne Henry Tel(DDI): 02866 387 124 E-mail: <a href="mailto:sales@speedyreg.co.uk">sales@speedyreg.co.uk</a>Article Source: <a href="http://www.articlesbase.com/">ArticlesBase.com</a> - <a href="http://www.articlesbase.com/automotive-articles/homophobic-number-plates-banned-1334535.html" title="Homophobic Number Plates Banned">Homophobic Number Plates Banned</a>

The first week of October saw what is possibly a unique situation brought up for the Driving and Vehicle Licensing Agency.

Not usually known for their risky nature or controversial stances outside of motoring legislation, the DVLA removed two license plates that were to be sold at an auction after a complaint from the gay rights charity Stonewall.

The group, which enjoys support from celebrities such as Alan Carr and Dannii Minogue, contacted the agency about two plates featuring a collection of numbers and letters that could very easily be interpreted as ‘Faggot’ and ‘Dykes’, derogatory terms for gay men and women respectively.

The plates ‘F4 GOT’ and ‘D1 KES’ had reserves of £900 each, and Stonewall said they objected to people, especially government agencies, “making profit from insults”.

After the complaint, the plates were withdrawn from the auction, and the following statement was issued by the DVLA:

“We have a responsibility to ensure that the combinations used on registration marks do not cause general upset or offence. Having reviewed the appropriateness of the registration marks F4 GOT and D1 KES, we have withdrawn these marks on the grounds of the clear potential offence they may cause.”

Similar withdrawals have been made for licence plates that contain “JE” and “HAD”, which are fairly easy to interpret as “JIHAD”, and combinations that include ‘666’.

The guidelines have relaxed somewhat though. The DVLA previously would never have dreamed of auctioning off a plate like “N4 KED”, but that is to be left in the auction that “F4 GOT” and “D1 KES” have been removed from. “701 LET” or ‘Toilet’ also sold recently.

The sale of personalised license plates through auction by the DVLA began in 1989, and has brought in a large amount of profit for them each year. The 2008 financial year saw them bring in £80,700,000, and that is not set to drop by too much this year.

What the future holds for license plates, and what interesting new combinations we will see emerge and be subsequently banned as different words pick up offensive connotations, will be rather interesting both linguistically and to see the slow shuffle of government agencies in progress.

Jayne Henry of Speedy Registrations Ltd - speedyreg.co.uk. Speedy Registrations have been supplying number plates to the public since 1984. Based in Northern Ireland we also specialise in Irish number plates. They aim to provide a choice of personalised number plates to meet all requirements. For interviews, quotes, images or comments contact: Jayne Henry Tel(DDI): 02866 387 124 E-mail: sales@speedyreg.co.uk

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