LAKEWOOD, Ohio — It brings a smile to William Saki's face: his new personalized Ohio license plate, which reads "GAY."

The previously banned plate was granted to Saki following a lawsuit earlier this year.

The word had been on the Ohio BMV's banned list since 1996, classified among thousands of terms deemed "inappropriate" for personalized plates.

"Gay is who I am - It's a fact and I'm proud of that," Saki said. "To know the state was saying, 'No, we don't like that plate. It's offensive to us.' That's my free speech they're messing with at that point."

News 5

Saki received his personalized plate this fall and told News 5 he's proud to display it.

"I notice people pointing and taking photos when I drive by – it puts a smile on my face, I like it," Saki said. "I'll always remember thi

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