Boldly Going Where No Couple Has Gone Before

Star Trek's George Takei and his partner, Brad Altman, will be some of the first people in line in West Hollywood on Tuesday. On the night before they take the plunge they sit down with Ross von Metzke for The Advocate

By Ross von Metzke

Days after Ellen and Portia became the first celebrity couple to announce they’d be getting married as the result of California’s supreme court ruling, George Takei announced he and longtime partner Brad Altman would be taking a trip down the aisle. On the eve of George and Brad taking a trip to West Hollywood park to obtain their marriage license, The Advocate caught up with the couple to talk about their 21-year engagement, forthcoming nuptials, and how a few of George’s Star Trek costars will figure into the ceremony.

You’ve been together 21 years. Did either of you ever think you’d see this day?
George Takei: Frankly, we dreamed about it, but it seemed very far off.

Brad Altman: The excitement and thrill that we feel for knowing that tomorrow morning we're going to apply for and receive our marriage licenses is that the California political climate before the Supreme Court ruling was sort of iffy. It was a very courageous decision by the high court. It basically says that all people are equal in California when it comes to marriage.

GT: It’s like when the California Supreme Court in 1948 deemed that interracial marriage is constitutional. It’s as profound as that.

Three of these four judges were Republican appointees. Politically, what are your feelings on this decision?
BA: It seems like the tent is getting bigger. Fair-minded Californians are beginning to realize that the arguments for marriage discrimination for GLBT people are sounding a little feeble. They really aren’t coming up with any good zingers anymore.

GT: I’ve always believed in the two-party system. There are certain broad values that belong to one party and other broad values that belong to another party, but the moderate area is where the real progress comes from. It took Republicans—and particularly Chief Justice Ronald George. I think he has been a true definer of the ideals of American democracy. That also is going to take the rug out from under the people who are opposing us.

Click here to follow The Advocate on Twitter. 1 2 3 NEXT Page 1 of 3

READ COMMENTS (0) MORE Prop. 8 EMAIL PRINT

RECOMMEND

‹‹Previous Article in Category | Next Article in Category››

More Online Only

Commentary Progress in the Midwest
A city native and strong supporter of Kalamazoo's effort to keep an anti-discrimination law reflects on a hard-won campaign.

Commentary What Marriage in Maine Meant for Me

Dana Hernandez is a straight white married mother of two young children. But in campaigning for No on 1 and reporting Election Night outcomes for Advocate.com, defeat hit her like a ton of bricks.

Marriage Equality Terri White Stages Her Leather Encore

Last year, acclaimed stage performer Terri White was homeless and living in a public park. On Sunday, she and her partner held a leather-themed commitment ceremony onstage following her triumphant Broadway turn in Finian’s Rainbow.

Music Ghost Story

Out singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile discusses working with her childhood mentor, coming out publicly, and joining next year's Lilith Fair.

News View From Washington: GOP Upheaval

Now that the only pro-marriage equality candidate in New York's 23rd Congressional district, Republican Dede Scozzafava, has dropped out of the race, Tuesday's election holds any number of political lessons for both the GOP and the LGBT community.

Books Hot Sheet: Ditto Knocking 'Em Dead

This week might not bring anything to the screen other than a Boondock Saints sequel, but there are plenty of reasons to sit at home on the couch or head to your local concert venue.

News Features Sailor Speaks Out
Sailor Joseph Rocha endured years of hazing until he spoke out — then he was discharged for revealing his homosexuality. Nonetheless, the 23-year-old is itching to suit back up.

Music Rainbow High

Busy Broadway heartthrob, gay rights activist, and former Advocate coverboy Cheyenne Jackson chats about his Finian’s Rainbow revival, his politically charged cabaret CD, and laying around in his underpants (pic on page five).

Marriage Equality For Maine, The Time is Now
Money is on their side and the polls look optimistic, but volunteers fighting to preserve marriage equality in Maine are prepared for a fight to the finish.

Television Another Tough Broad

After being outed by a Nazi and locking lips with a hook-up three times in one episode, Christine Woods's tough-talking FBI agent Janis Hawk on ABC's FlashForward might just be prime time's best gay offering — who isn't in Glee club, that is.

Books In Sickness and in Health

Mary Cappello’s memoir Called Back takes readers on a white-knuckle journey through the experience of cancer treatment in America — especially disorienting to navigate as a woman and a lesbian.

Books An American Crime

Best-selling novelist Patricia Cornwell made headlines last week when she filed suit against a New York investment firm for losing $40 million of her money. But she'd much rather talk about her new book, hate-crimes legislation, and Angelina Jolie.

Comedy Gilded Lily

After conquering Broadway, movies, and television, out funny lady Lily Tomlin prepares for the final frontier — Las Vegas.

Entertainment News Ricky Martin, No Shirt and a Baby
Ricky Martin knows how to get the camera's attention. Take a look at the many pictures of Ricky uploaded to his Twitter account in the past three months, always shirtless, frequently carrying one (or both) of his babies.

Television Fresh Blood
With True Blood a bona-fide cultural phenomenon, producer Alan Ball offers tantalizing hints about what to expect on season 3.