Actor George Takei, who is best known
for his role as Hikaru Sulu on Star Trek, will serve as grand
marshal to the Columbus Pride Parade.
“We are honored to have George Takei
join us for this year's Pride Celebration,” Karla Rothan, executive
director of Stonewall Columbus, which organizes the annual event,
said in a statement. “As an artist and activist George's
compelling story syncs with our theme, 'Created Equal.'”
“George has worked tirelessly on
behalf of our rights and we honor him in June for his lifetime of
activism,” she
added.
Takei will lead the June 21 parade
through downtown Columbus. A week later he'll do the same for
Seattle's annual pride parade.
Takei came out in
2005, prompted by California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's veto of
a gay marriage bill.
He married Brad
Altman in 2008.