Late last night George Takei (Star Trek’s original Sulu) announced that he and his long-time partner Brad Altman were engaged to be married. The announcement comes just one day after the California Supreme Court ruled that same sex marriages are now legal in California, overturning a previous ban as unconstitutional. Takei talked to TrekMovie about the wedding and more.



The announcement on Takei’s website reads in part:

Our California dream is reality. Brad Altman and I can now marry. We are overjoyed! At long last, the barrier to full marriage rights for same-sex couples has been torn down. We are equal with all citizens of our state!

This issue is particularly close to Takei as he first came out as gay in 2005 to speak out against a veto, by California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, of a same-sex marraige law. Takei tells TrekMovie he and Brad are planning on tying the knot “as soon as possible.” The court ruling will go into effect in June and they are currently looking over dates and possible locations. Takei is considering the recently restored St. Vibiana’s Cathedral in downtown Los Angeles. Takei is also already planning on helping with the campaign to fight any November ballot measure to amend the California State Constitution to again ban same sex marriage. Takei states “I would like to think that Californians have changed and now know that we are not the stereotypes, but we are everybody we are your neighbors, your family, your co-workers.” Takei also takes heart in the fact that Gov. Schwarzenegger has backed the Court’s ruling and will not support amending the Constitution. Takei isn’t the only celeb announcing marriage plans following the ruling. During a taping of her show on Friday Ellen DeGeneres announced she and Portia de Rossi will also wed.



Takei with his husband-to-be, Brad Altman

George keeping busy

Besides wedding plans, Takei is still keeping busy. The actor says that for the last week he has been doing voice recordings for an unnamed EA video game. He also recently finished a “last minute” cameo for the Adam Sandler comedy You Don’t Mess with the Zohan. Takei also has a role as a “snooty maître de” in the R rated comedy American Summer from the guys behind American Pie. That film is now at Cannes looking for distribution. Starting later in the month George will be going on a multi-city speaking tour as part of Asian-pacific heritage month. Takei also is slated for some summer conventions, see his site for more info on his appearances.

George doesn’t hate Bill

In the last week William Shatner has been doing a publicity tour and the subject of Trek feuds and George Takei seems to come up a lot (like on Conan O’Brien show or The Howard Stern Show). When asked about the supposed feud Takei did admit he wishes Shatner would learn to pronounce his name correctly, but felt the feud has been overblown, noting