Did you hear the one about the former porn star who wore a pasta strainer on her head for her driver's license photo? It's true. And would you believe it was an expression of her religious beliefs? Yup.
Woman wears colander for driver's license photo
That is Asia Lemmon, also known as former adult movie star Asia Carrera (legal name: Jessica Steinhauser). Claiming membership in the satirical Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, she was allowed to exercise her religious right by wearing a metal colander on her head for her Utah driver's license photo.
The Flying Spaghetti Monster movement, also known as "Pastafarianism," started in 2005 as a protest against teaching intelligent design as an alternative to evolution in Kansas schools. Lemmon says that with the right documents, she had no problem rocking her headgear at the DMV.
According to the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, the colander is the official headwear of the satirical religious movement that mocks traditional religions, with members calling themselves ‘Pastafarians.'
Lemmon, who says she is an atheist, said claiming membership in the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster was a decision she's proud of.
"I'm a really proud, outspoken atheist," Lemmon said. "I am proud of Utah for allowing freedom of all religions in what is considered by many to be a one-religion state. I wanted to see if I could (wear the colander) in Utah. I wasn't sure if they would let me."
When I first glanced at the headline about the woman who wore a colander for her driver's license photo, I didn't know I was going to end up reading a story about religious freedom. But there you go.
Atheist and proud: Former adult star Asia Carrera wears ‘Pastafarian’ colander for Utah license photo