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Aug. 12, 2008
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DOUG ELFMAN: Takei celebrates legacy of diversity

DOUG ELFMAN
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Actor George Takei, left, joins partner Brad Altman in June in getting a marriage certificate permit in West Hollywood, Calif. The man who played Sulu of "Star Trek" fame says the strength of the '60s TV show was infinite diversity in infinite combin-ations.
Photo by The Associated Press

At the Hilton's "Star Trek" convention this weekend, George Takei signed autographs for hours while hundreds of fans -- baby boomers, Gen-Xers with kids and grandparents -- congratulated him on his upcoming wedding to a man.

Takei was, of course, Sulu in the original "Star Trek" show. Now 71, his star has risen again. Sometimes, he is Howard Stern's funny announcer on Sirius satellite radio. Sometimes, he plays Hiro's dead-but-still-appearing dad on NBC's "Heroes."

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    • And he's a leading public face in California's gay-marriage movement. After the autograph session, Takei and fiance Brad Altman moved to a private room where I asked Takei whether they're planning bachelor parties before their Sept. 14 nuptials.

    "We haven't been bachelors, so that would not be credible," Takei says. "We've been living in sin for 21 years, and the California Supreme Court (in May) said, 'All right boys, it's about time you legalize it.' So we clicked our heels and said, 'Yes, sir!' "

    Ever since the 1960s, "Star Trek" has espoused universal acceptance of different peoples. But Takei says there has been some backlash online from religious conservatives.

    "What we always point out to them is: infinite diversity in infinite combinations -- 'IDIC,' as 'Star Trek' called it. The strength of the 'Star Trek' Enterprise was in its diversity, coming together and working in concert, finding that common ground, and to be able to tap different vantage points on the same challenge that we face," Takei says.

    "We have to be respectful of each other's faiths. And what one faith doesn't have is a right to write their faith and their values into civil law that applies to everybody," he says. "This nation was founded by people who were fleeing religious persecution. So these people don't understand American history and what America is about."

    He's not worried about a ballot measure to amend the California Constitution against gay marriage because legal experts say amendments first require two-third votes in the legislature. Polls show the proposition losing.

    Even when Takei has been offstage, he's been politically active. In the 1970s, he helped shape the L.A. subway system, which is not New York-sprawling, but it was a start and has gained ridership because of expensive gasoline.

    While in Vegas, Takei takes the monorail.

    "I think it's wonderful except," he says, "it just goes to the key areas. You need to go downtown. You need to go where the density of both destination and trip-origination are."

    The high prices of gasoline and flying in a sour economy and rising unemployment hurt turnout at the Hilton's convention, he says.

    "This is all affecting everything, including 'Star Trek' conventions, as dedicated as fans are, bless their hearts."

    But the convention was still Vegas-y in that fans were international.

    "People come from all over. Regionally, there are cultural differences," he says. "In the South, they say, 'Yes sir,' 'No sir,' and to a woman they say, 'Yes, ma'am,' 'No, ma'am.' There's that kind of civility. You go to the Northeast, there's that pushy assertive quality. It's all regional. And I love regionalism. That's what makes diversity of America so engaging."

    Takei (who was interned during World War II) added diversity to "Star Trek" in the 1960s, when Japanese-Americans just weren't on TV. Yet, there is one person who still can't, or won't, pronounce his name right.

    "I've been working with Bill Shatner yea these 40-plus years. He never seems to get it right. I gave him, 'It's Takei, as in way.' I even said, 'as in gay,' '' he says. Finally, "I told him, 'It's Takei, rhymes with toupee.' I thought that would do it."

    ONLINE TODAY IN VEGASLAND: Regarding the Olympics, if you can smoke while you do it, it's a game -- not a sport.

    Doug Elfman's column appears on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays. Contact him at 702-383-0391 and delfman@reviewjournal.com. He blogs at reviewjournal.com/elfman.



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    miguel raiz wrote on August 13, 2008 11:51 AM: justadadhere, your comments are not honest, and are reiteration of the current propaganda:
    1. Homosexuality is the number one risk factor WORLDWIDE for AIDS, and millions have died, and in our country, the 3 decade long lie that AIDS was going to be a heterosexual problem proved to be false, and was recently admitted to be false by the medical community;
    2. HOmosexuals cannot reproduce among themselves, so dont bother to talk about "family": lesbians have to be artificially inseminated or adopt. There is either no father or no mother around-all reliable data shows that this is not good for our country, and terrible for children. Therefore, "homosexual marriage" is an oxymoron, and would be a mockery of the institution of marriage.
    3. YOu didnt answer, so you must be aware of the terrible social/economic consequences of enabling people in an activity (homosexuality) where they contract AIDS. The infected pool gets wider and wider, and also spreads opportunistic infections to healthy people. Ignoring Plague is not "good" for the U.S.
    4. People like you ignore facts which destroy people and our country. NOthing is important to you, but your own perverted lusts.


    Elton John wrote on August 12, 2008 04:15 PM: Apparently while the rest of the Star Trek crew was "boldy going where no man has gone before" George was exploring Uranus.


    justadadhere wrote on August 12, 2008 10:33 AM: Sort of stunning, some of these comments, in the degree to which they reveal the writers' ignorance. If you do the smallest bit of research you will find that worldwide, AIDS is spread by heterosexuals at far greater rates than homosexuals. As for "the fact" that homosexuals are promiscuous by nature, show me the data; even if you want to believe that, since one of the main purposes of marriage is to decrease promiscuity and strengthen family structures for the good of all society, I would think you'd be applauding gay marriage from the rooftops. From a lot of what's been written here, though, it would seem that no rational argument will make a difference. You guys want to believe the worst about gay people, and will do anything to keep them down.


    miguel raiz wrote on August 12, 2008 10:18 AM: The harsh fact the media constantly ignores, as does Takai, is that Homosexuals spread AIDS, a fatal disease, and all taxpayers pay tens of billions for drugs to extend their life. All our insurance rates rise because of "gays", who are by nature promiscuous. Would you allow your son to engage in behavior where he contracts a fatal disease?? And all other opportunistic diseases? Has anyone noticed that Lesbians hate/despise men? And you want to condone their lifestyle and teach this to kids?


    Frank P wrote on August 12, 2008 09:44 AM: After reading this article, it would behoove all of us to get the book, The Pink Swastika, by Scott Lively and Kevin Abrams, ISBN 0-9647609-0-8. See http://www.abidingtruth.com/pfrc/books/pinkswastika/html/the_pinkswastika_4th_edition_-_final.htm
    for a book review. The book deals with Homosexuality in the Nazi Party. A review of this book says:

    “As a Jewish scholar who lost hundreds of her family in the Holocaust, I welcome The Pink Swastika as courageous and timely . . . Lively and Abrams reveal the reigning “gay history” as revisionist and expose the supermale German homosexuals for what they were - Nazi brutes, not Nazi victims.”
    Dr. Judith Reisman, Institute for Media Education

    Thanks.


    RHG wrote on August 12, 2008 08:29 AM: I don't have a problem with "gay marriage", hell the heterosexuals have pretty much made a sham out of it anyway.But, along with "marriage" you have "divorce". I wonder if the Rosie O'Donnells of the world will think "marriage" is such a good idea when they start handing out hefty divorce settlements? This may fall under the category of "Be careful what you wish for".


    Devon wrote on August 12, 2008 08:01 AM: Hm. Maybe they should legalize polygamous marriage. I mean, if everyone's cool with it. Everyone's an adult capable of making their own informed decisions. (shrug) I don't see a problem.


    RHG wrote on August 12, 2008 07:00 AM: I don't recall the earthlings getting along with the Romulins or Glingons very well on "Star Trek". So, "diversity" does have its limits I suppose.


    Wade Barnes wrote on August 12, 2008 05:27 AM: Oh Come on Coach, send me in, I know I can "lick" em!!


    mauna loa wrote on August 12, 2008 04:38 AM: The mighty PINK HAND strikes again.


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