News

Actions

‘Pastafarian’ woman wins right to wear spaghetti strainer — religious head wear — in driver’s license

Posted at 4:16 AM, Nov 16, 2015
and last updated 2015-11-16 04:16:57-05

BOSTON, Mass. — A Massachusetts woman has won her fight to wear a spaghetti strainer on her head in her driver’s license photo.

Lindsay Miller describes herself as a Pastafarian and a member of the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster.  The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles had refused to let her wear the colander, but The American Humanist Association filed an appeal on her behalf.  The group cited the registry’s exception for religious headwear.

“I’m like, you’re discriminating against us just because you haven’t heard of us,” said Miller.  “You know, it’s like, there’s how many religions?  How are you going to know all of them?  So I hope this helps open the door so other people can go and don’t have that hassle.”

pasta drivers license

The registry reversed itself before the appeal was heard, and Miller got her photo with the colander included.

Some say the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster is meant to be a satirical alternative to traditional religions, but the church denies that and says its beliefs are sincere and supported by hard science.