RICHMOND

Even though some don’t like the message it conveys, a special license plate supporting abortion rights is moving forward in the General Assembly.

A bill, HB1108, authorizing a plate with the message “Trust Women/Respect Choice” was introduced by Del. Robert Brink, D-Arlington. Mindful that disallowing the plate could expose the state to a First Amendment lawsuit, the Republican-controlled House Transportation Committee approved it 14-6 this morning, advancing it to the House floor.

The Assembly approved an anti-abortion plate last year with the message “Choose Life,” and the American Civil Liberties Union has warned that failure to accommodate the opposite viewpoint as well would be unconstitutional.

That wasn’t enough to sway some members of the committee. One of the no votes came from Del. John Cosgrove, R-Chesapeake, who complained: “Where are we going to stop? We’re starting to get cowed into passing bills because we get threatened with lawsuits.”

A portion of the revenues from sale of the plates would go to Planned Parenthood, which has pledged to put the money into a special account used to cover nonabortion services.

An identical bill, SB704, is still awaiting action in a Senate committee.