George Takei Says He Wouldn't Change His Coming Out
- By
- On Top Magazine Staff
- | August 27, 2014
Actor George Takei says he wouldn't change the timing of his coming out.
Takei, who is best known for his role as Hikaru Sulu on Star Trek, is currently promoting a documentary on his life titled To Be Takei.
In speaking with The Huffington Post, Takei explained that he decided to come out gay in 2005 after then-Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed a bill approved by California lawmakers allowing gay couples to marry.
“Before I came out publicly in 2005, I became angry at Arnold Schwarzenegger for vetoing [the marriage bill],” he said. “When he campaigned, he said, 'I'm from Hollywood. I've worked with gays and lesbians. Some of my best friends are gay.' So I expected him to sign the bill, having campaigned as he did. He betrayed us because he was a Republican and his base was the conservative right.”
“Looking back, would you ever change anything about your coming out process?” he was asked.
“No. I'm proud of the fact that I did what I did when I did it,” he answered.
(Related: George Takei documentary To Be Takei arrives in select theaters Friday.)
Takei added that he feels a responsibility to the gay Asian-American community.
“[Being gay] is not something that is limited to whites or any other type of people,” he said. “I do feel that responsibility, because I hold a certain position in Japanese-American society.”