In the Agora: Disclosure--But Not At Warp Speed

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October 28, 2005

Disclosure--But Not At Warp Speed

George Takei, better known as Star Trek's Mr. Sulu, has come out of the closet. At this point, learning that a celebrity is homosexual is as astonishing as learning that government officials sometimes mislead the public. But Takei's announcement nevertheless is significant, because it invites readers to consider the strain of keeping up a false identity for no better reason than that the prejudice of others prevents you from being honest. That Takei has been in a committed relationship for eighteen years only highlights the gap between his public and private personae.

Actors are, of course, skilled at bringing falsehoods to life. But so long as one's actions cause no harm to anyone else, one should have the right to live one's life freely, in peace, and without lies.

Posted by Paul Musgrave at October 28, 2005 08:17 AM

Comments

Yay! Good for him. I'm glad he was finally able to come out, and I hope he manages to enjoy his honesty for many years to come. Honestly, I'm surprised he didn't do it earlier. It's not like that's a major detriment to one's acting career, and it's not like he has one of those anyway. And if any Star Trek fans are still anti-homosexual after this, I'm going to hunt them down and make them watch "Let That Be Your Last Battlefield" while I beat them with the whomping end of an ahn woon.

Posted by: A Steve at October 28, 2005 11:33 AM | permalink

What we really need is a debate about how pon farr influences the development of Vulcan sexual identities and marriage.

Posted by: Paul at October 28, 2005 11:34 AM | permalink

It could be a septennial conference.

Posted by: A Steve at October 28, 2005 02:13 PM | permalink

Hey, he's just a person who was part of a big hit tv series. He doesn't get any special recognition for being gay or straight, asian or caucasion, male or female, a republican, a democrat, etc. GET THIS: whoever chooses a sexual orientation has to face the entirety of responsibility for the choice without blaming society for condemning them, blah, blah, blah...
It's a free country. But if anyone wants to say that it's wrong I hope you don't automatically (knee-jerk--which is supposed to be the automatic reflex of conservative??) condemn them. They may, like me, have good friends who are gay and yet still see the lifestyle as wrong. They also can't see why the definite health issues associated with gay lifestyles is so overlooked and underreported. Are those reports viewed as biased or homophobic so they are unworthy of reporting?
Ah, Cheryl Swoopes, Mr. Sulu, whoever...your choice is your choice. I will admire your talents and respect you as a person. Allow me the freedom to disagree with you, though. Allow the citizens of this free country to bring the issue to the ballot box. That's what we're all about, isn't it? Let's keep the playing field level on this issue, tinged with strong emotions though it may be.

Posted by: gdwightlarson at October 31, 2005 11:55 PM | permalink

Coinciding time-wise with his coming out is the decision of the United Methodist Church (via its Judicial Council) that gays may be barred from belonging to its churches.

United Methodist no longer lead with grace, but only with homophobia.

Posted by: Joel Thomas at November 1, 2005 04:11 AM | permalink

October 28, 2005

Disclosure--But Not At Warp Speed

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