Newlywed Takei Talks About Marriage

Star Trek's Mr. Sulu And Long-Time Partner Discuss Nuptials, Calif. Gay Marriage Ban Proposition

(CBS)  George Takei, who played Mr. Sulu on the TV series "Star Trek," recently married his partner of 21 years, Brad Altman. In an exclusive interview on The Early Show, they talked about the joys of being a newly married couple at long last and their concern over a ballot initiative to ban gay marriage in the state of California.

"George, how was the wedding? Was it everything you dreamed of?" asked co-anchor Maggie Rodriguez.

"It was exquisite. It was magical," Takei said. "It's something we're going to remember for the rest our lives."

"Brad, you've been married two whole days. How is married life?" Rodriguez asked.

"It's great, but we've been busy sending out thank you e-mails to all of the musicians and singers and entertainers that helped make our wedding the best day of our lives," Altman said.

And as for the legal ramifications.

"It has made us equal to everybody and that makes a world of difference," Takei said. "We feel just fantastic."

"Give me some examples, Brad, of how it has made you equal in the eyes of the law," Rodriguez said.

"Well, it's like any -- we're a long-term well-established couple and been together more than 21 years and now in California we have marriage equality. Marriage is a fundamental right for all Californians and I'm legally -- George is my husband and it makes a world of difference."

But there's a proposition on the November ballot that may allow California voters to essentially nullify the marriage if they vote for it. Takei talked about that possibility.

"Well, first of all, we're not going to let it get there and fight it tooth and nail," Takei said. "Because it's against the basic fundamental ideals of democracy. You know, we're a pluralistic society and there are many, many faiths and beliefs here. Now we respect everybody's faith, their right to their beliefs. But there's no right for any one faith group to write their own particular beliefs into civil law that applies to everyone. That's not democracy. That's not the way it works in the American way. And we are going to make sure that democracy prevails here."

"How will you fight it?" Rodriguez asked. "Will you start a petition or something?"

"Oh, well, no. It's on the ballot and it is going to be -- there is going to be a campaign," Takei said. "I think basically, the majority of Californians are fair, decent-minded people, and they will recognize the beauty of our marriage, the truth of our marriage, and they will not take it away from us."

"I'm optimistic Proposition 8 will be defeated on November 4th on the California ballot," Altman said.

However, I warn everybody that we must not be confident," Takei said. "We've got to fight and run scared, because we don't know what kind of last-minute campaign they are going to throw at us. That's the way it happens in elections, so we've got to be prepared. We're vigorously raising funds. We asked our guests for no gifts, but contributions to the HRC Wedding Registry and also to the Japanese American National Museum where we got married. And we got married in the democracy forum, very consciously we chose that venue because we wanted our union to be in the forum of democracy."

[questionnews]

Ha! He wore white!
Well maybe he is a virgin as far as women go.

[willap]

Who cares the marriage of two men, not news worthy!

[ajaxrose1]

I don''t see why they can''t get married if they want to. They''re two consenting adults. It doesn''t threaten my way of life or my beliefs. I''m content to live and let live. Twenty-one years together is longer than 50% of "straight" couples stay together. If that piece of paper means something to them, then let them have it and go on to something really important for pete''s sake. Tougher penalties for drunk drivers and child molesters would be more beneficial to society. Just an opinion.

[erasmus81]

That is just so sweet. I''m glad to hear he''s happy.