Metal Meredith

Back when I was much, much younger, I was invited (and accepted the invitation) to a local Star Wars convention. It was just what you would expect, nerds, goobers and dorks all lined up to view and purchase the most rare and coveted collectibles. They held panels with discussions on show topics and time lines and the virtues of the movies versus each series. I found it all amusing but pretty boring. I also didn’t feel all that well.

The highlight was an appearance by George Takei, who played Sulu on the original series (and some big screen versions as well). We all listened to him talk and I thought he was personable and enjoyed hearing his take on many questions that were thrown at him. At the very end, they raffled off some prizes so we decided to start heading out. The big deal prize was an autographed posted of George that the winner was presented to personally. Before I knew it, I was walking up on stage in front of this whole convention, getting a kiss on the cheek from Mr. Takei and being handed a poster.

I remember this specifically because I came down with chicken pox the next day. Poor George, I wondered for days if I should somehow get in touch with his management and warn them. But that experience is a nice, albeit dorky memory that I enjoy retelling to unsuspecting fans of the series. My enjoyment of George Takei started right there but didn’t end.

Last week, I was staring at a photo of George Takei again, right after learning the verdict allowing gay couples to legally marry in California. I came across his site. I know George Takei is gay, but I had no idea he was this open. He posted an open letter on his site that I am going to repost here for all of you who can’t seem to click on a link:

May 16, 2008
Marriage Equality Comes to California
By George Takei

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!

The California Supreme Court has ruled that all Californians have a fundamental right to marry the person he or she loves. Brad and I have shared our lives together for over 21 years. We’ve worked in partnership; he manages the business side of my career and I do the performing. We’ve traveled the world together from Europe to Asia to Australia. We’ve shared the good times as well as struggled through the bad. He helped me care for my ailing mother who lived with us for the last years of her life. He is my love and I can’t imagine life without him. Now, we can have the dignity, as well as all the responsibilities, of marriage. We embrace it all heartily.

The California Supreme Court further ruled that our Constitution provides for equal protection for all and that it cannot have marriage for one group and another form - domestic partnership - for another group. No more “separate but equal.” No more second-class citizenship. Brad and I are going to be married as full citizens of our state.

As a Japanese American, I am keenly mindful of the subtle and not so subtle discrimination that the law can impose. During World War II, I grew up imprisoned behind the barbed wire fences of U.S. internment camps. Pearl Harbor had been bombed and Japanese Americans were rounded up and incarcerated simply because we happened to look like the people who bombed Pearl Harbor. Fear and war hysteria swept the nation. A Presidential Executive Order directed the internment of Japanese Americans as a matter of national security. Now, with the passage of time, we look back and see it as a shameful chapter of American history. President Gerald Ford rescinded the Executive Order that imprisoned us. President Ronald Reagan formally apologized for the unjust imprisonment. President George H.W. Bush signed the redress payment checks to the survivors. It was a tragic and dark taint on American history.

With time, I know the opposition to same sex marriage, too, will be seen as an antique and discreditable part of our history. As U.S. Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy remarked on same sex marriage, “Times can blind us to certain truths and later generations can see that laws once thought necessary and proper, in fact, serve only to oppress.”

For now, Brad and I are enjoying the delicious dilemma of deciding where, when, and how we will be married. Marriage equality took a long time, but, like fine wine, its bouquet is simply exquisite.

I have a very strong opinion about gay rights and their ability to marry and the benefits that come along with it. It is no secret and I will continue to vote according to who will be support all the citizens of the country and not just the ones that religion dictates should be recognized. Today’s post was my part in Blogging for LGBT Families Day 2008.

I hope by reproducing George’s heartfelt words that someone who might not ‘get it’ finally sees that these people are just that, people. And that they fall in love just like anyone else and should be allowed to share in the recognition that heterosexual couples are allowed.