From the iconic role of Sulu on Star Trek to Howard Stern and Facebook fame, George Takei's sharp eye, coupled with his wicked sense of humor, continues to challenge the status quo well into the 21st century.
To Be Takei
Synopsis
From the iconic role of Sulu on Star Trek to Howard Stern and Facebook fame, George Takei's sharp eye, coupled with his wicked sense of humor, continues to challenge the status quo well into the 21st century. As a child forced into Japanese-American internment camps, the actor-turned-activist reveals the ways that racism affected him well into his acting career. Now 76, and nine years after coming out of the closet, Takei and his husband, Brad, have become the poster couple for marriage equality, highlighting homophobia through television interviews and hilarious skits, many of which have garnered widespread attention.
Boris Dittrich, advocacy director for the LGBT Rights Program at Human Rights Watch, started the marriage equality ball rolling in 1994 when he was a member of the Dutch parliament. In 2001, the Netherlands became the first country in the world to introduce marriage equality legislation. Same-sex marriage is now legal in 16 countries and 17 states in the United States. Human Rights Watch continues to support local initiatives for marriage equality, including in Ireland, Colombia, Japan, and Luxembourg.