PHOENIX — Arizona is one step closer to being the fourth state in the nation with an LGBTQ+ specialty license plate. Equality Maricopa said it now plans to launch the license plate in 2024.
Equality Maricopa President-Elect Jay Franzen and Vice President Dr. Tasha Nelson joined 12News "Today in AZ" on Tuesday to discuss the major fundraising milestone they’ve hit.
The group said it has passed its fundraising campaign of $32,000. They are now taking the next steps through the legislative process to officially be granted a specialty license plate.
$32,000 is the amount of money required to provide the state of Arizona to get the plate produced.
Next the group needs the support of a state lawmaker to introduce the plate to the Arizona legislature. Each plate in the state must be passed by a legislative majority and make its way to the Governor's desk, who can then sign it into law.
Equality Maricopa announced that Rep. Lorena Austin and Rep. Analise Ortiz are willing to work with them to help draft and sponsor this legislation.
“This effort is about so much more than a license plate,” said Rep. Analise Ortiz, who identifies as pansexual. “It’s about ensuring our community’s resilience is reflected on the roads and our diverse community college student bodies are supported.”
Equality Maricopa’s mission is to raise awareness, promote inclusivity, and provide critical funding for LGBTQIA+ students to reduce barriers and make education more accessible.
Once the specialty plates are available to Arizonans, Equality Maricopa will receive $17 of the $25 specialty license plate fee. The funds will go into the PRISM scholarship fund which will support students attending Maricopa Community Colleges in Arizona.
You can find more information about the scholarship at: mcccdf.org/prism-scholarship-fund/.
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