George Takei, famously recognized for portraying a significant Asian character in ‘Star Trek’, Hikaru Sulu, as well as establishing himself as a cultural figurehead and political advocate, has an intriguing personal story. He concealed his homosexuality from the public until he was 68 years old. The esteemed ‘Star Trek’ figure has been candid about the experience of coming out and the long-lasting sense of guilt he felt afterward.
In the 1960s, the groundbreaking series Star Trek (available on Paramount+) was a pioneer, portraying diversity aboard the USS Enterprise, a vision of the future. Yet, its creator Gene Roddenberry faced apprehension when it came to addressing LGBT themes, as he feared potential backlash and cancellation.
If Gene Roddenberry thought representing queer characters wouldn’t have been accepted on TV during the ’60s, it’s understandable that one of the show’s stars, George Takei, didn’t reveal his sexuality until 2005. With his 20-year relationship with Brad Altman hidden from public view, and witnessing his friends perish due to AIDS, Takei explained to USA Today that concealing his sexual identity was accompanied by a feeling of guilt.
In this scenario, I’m prioritizing my position, professional growth, and personal goals, whereas those who shared a similar distinction as myself opted to relinquish these aspects and instead became more involved in the broader community, driving advancements.
I get where George Takei is coming from quite clearly. In the ’60s, Star Trek and The Twilight Zone were groundbreaking shows, tackling issues like interracial relationships and racism, yet actors didn’t openly reveal their identities to safeguard their careers. This must have been incredibly challenging for him, a native of Los Angeles, to conceal his true self. He likened this time to feeling as trapped as when he was interned with his family in Japanese internment camps during his childhood, behind barbed wire.
Twenty years after publicly revealing his sexuality, George Takei has remained open and unreserved in expressing himself. When same-sex marriage was legalized in California in 2008, he and Brad Altman were the pioneers who submitted the first marriage license application as a same-sex couple. Additionally, he recently published a new graphic novel titled “It Rhymes with Takei“, which chronicles his life-altering decision to come out of the closet. As an active advocate for LGBT rights, Takei continues to share his feelings about revealing his true self to the world.
In a more straightforward and personal manner, I feel incredibly free, as if there’s no need for constant vigilance or mental sparring to express myself without revealing too much. Over time, I honed that ability, but now, it seems unnecessary. I can speak openly and honestly, without reservations.
In front of the camera, actors might need to play different characters, but behind the scenes, they should feel unrestricted, able to simply be themselves – true to their feelings and relationships, unafraid of career implications or criticism.
In contrast to the ’60s version of Star Trek, which didn’t explore LGBT themes, the reboot series by J.J. Abrams introduced these themes when John Cho’s character, Hikaru Sulu, was portrayed as gay – a nod to George Takei, who originally played this role. However, George Takei had mixed feelings about this change. He supported LGBT representation on the USS Enterprise, but he preferred that an original character, rather than his own, be made gay.
Thankfully, the actor’s preferences were met, given his satisfaction with the original gay character, Anthony Rapp’s Lieutenant Stamets, in Star Trek: Discovery. This demonstrates that change may require patience, allowing for a balance between tradition and advancement to be maintained.
George Takei might have harbored a deep “feeling of remorse” for hiding his sexual orientation for so long, but eventually revealing it after many years brought him a sense of “great liberation.” Now that the star of The Big Bang Theory has openly declared his identity, he’s demonstrated no hesitation in advocating for LGBTQ+ equality not only professionally but also through his personal graphic novels. It’s truly uplifting to see Takei utilize his influence to ignite change, something he once believed he couldn’t effect.
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2025-06-12 05:37