‘Pastafarian’ Wins Right to Wear Spaghetti Strainer in Driver’s License Photo

http://patch.com/massachusetts/westford/pastafarian-wins-right-wear-spaghetti-strainer-drivers-license-photo-0

A woman from Lowell, Mass. has won the right to wear a spaghetti strainer on her head in her driver’s license photo.

Lindsay Miler, who claims to be a “Pastafarian,” was initially denied the request but recently won an appeal—as the RMV allows headgear in license photos for religious or medical reasons.

Miller is a member of the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, an atheist group whose followers wear spaghetti strainers as a religious symbol.

“As a member of the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, I feel delighted that my Pastafarianism has been respected by the Massachusetts RMV,” Miller said in a statement. “While I don’t think the government can involve itself in matters of religion, I do hope this decision encourages my fellow Pastafarian Atheists to come out and express themselves as I have.”

Miller got legal help from the American Humanist Association…

It wasn’t the first time a government body has acknowledged Pastafarians’ right to wear spaghetti strainers in official capacities. In 2011, Austrian Niko Alm was allowed to wear one his driver’s license, while in 2014 a member of the Pomfret (N.Y.) town council wore one as he took his oath of office.