Where No Gay Male Celebrity Has Gone Before: "Star Trek"'s George Takei Weds

September 15, 2008

George Takei as Hikaru Sulu on Star Trek and as Kaito Nakamura on Heroes

Takei said his decision to take a stand on same-sex marriage and publicly announce his wedding ceremony is based, in part, on his experiences as an Asian American, including the time he and his family spent in an American internment camp during World War II. Takei himself helped found the museum where he was wed to honor those interned.

“[My father] encouraged all of his children, my brother and my sister and myself, to be active in the political process,” Takei said. “And because he gave us that kind of guidance, I understood what the fundamental ideal of democracy was. And yes, over my lifetime we are getting closer and closer to the ideals of our democracy and our constitution.”

“I’m optimistic that the voters in California will make the right decision because it’s really about fairness and equality and treating people the same,” Altman said. “But George’s and my relationship is going to continue to be live long and prosper beyond November.”

For more photos from the Takei/Altman wedding visit GLAAD.org. For more information on defeating to support marriage equality in California vist No on 8.

Submitted by

Michael Jensen

on Sun, 2008-09-14 23:46.

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Ironic, isn't it?

Submitted by

KylesBnB (154 points) (32 posts)

on Mon, 2008-09-15 01:15.

One of the classic, most well-known actors from the various Star Trek franchises and films has gotten married to another man.

Yet none of the Star Trek TV series, (5 so far), or films, (10 so far), have been able to show a gay or lesbian character amongst their various casts.

Thank you, George, for going where no Star Trek producers have dared to go before!

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Now there is a topic that

Submitted by

AsA3DollarBill (70 points) (14 posts)

on Mon, 2008-09-15 22:29.

Now *there* is a topic that stirs up debate in Star Trek circles. And it's worse than you describe. It's not just that there isn't a gay cast member, but that gay people apparently don't *exist* in the future. Except in the Mirror Universe, where evil-Kira is a bisexual predator, reinforcing the rich cinematic tradition of gender nonconformity as a means to villify the antagonist.

Whenver this disparity comes up, invariably someone complains that Trek is being held to some crazy liberal standard that it "has" to include gay people. However, in the 42 years since Trek debuted, homosexuality has gone from "The Love That Dare Not Speak Its Name" to the love that a black presidential candidate acknowledges -- and calls for an end to discrimination against -- during a prime-time speech. The fact that the television dynasty which gave us the first interracial kiss on television has actively avoided this topic for the entirety of the gay civil rights movement isn't just unfortunate happenstance; it's a betrayal of all that Star Trek stands for.

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Huzzah!

Submitted by

Walford (115 points) (23 posts)

on Mon, 2008-09-15 07:38.

What a great story to start the week with. This just makes me smile. These days, that says an awful lot. I hope for all the best for George and Brad. (And everyone else out there in CA getting this great chance - someday, we'll all get there.)

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