West Hollywood: A happy star's trek to a wedding license
The media swarmed "Star Trek" actor George Takei as he and his partner, Brad Altman, boldly went where few had gone before.
"I think it's a glorious California morning to make history,'' said Takei, beaming before a clutch of reporters and TV cameras. The actor played played Mr. Sulu, the helmsman on the starship Enterprise, on the original Star Trek series. "Congratulations to all of us: May equality live long and prosper."
Even as the media focused on them, other couples were filing into an auditorium that had been converted to a licensing facility by the county. Marriages were to be performed in the park outside the auditorium. West Hollywood City Council members were deputized to officiate, along with senior city staffers. Clergymen were also on hand to perform religious ceremonies.
One man in a red devil's mask held a sign that read: "Pervert weddings done here."
---Duke Helfand
Photo: Barbara Davison/Los Angeles Times
EDITOR'S PICKS:
What terrific news and what a wonderful couple.
With George and Brad leading the way, I seriously doubt Captain Sulu and Company will let the clock be turned back in November by a bigoted voter initiative that is attempting to write flagrant discrimination into the California Constitution.
To Brad and George, (yes an overworn cliche), "Live Long and Prosper."
Posted by: Kevin Norte | June 17, 2008 at 11:27 AM
How appropriate that gay marriage opponent in the devil's mask showed up, because it probably was the real Satan. Congratulations George and Brad! You show 'em how it's done! :)
Posted by: Yes | June 17, 2008 at 12:05 PM
Thank God I live in Texas, and I pray that same sex marriage is never legallized here! Do you think that this is what our forefathers fought for? This is morally wrong!
Posted by: cdcg | June 17, 2008 at 02:01 PM
does the gay population really think they can change gods law,and if god does not mater to them then why is marriage so important,why hijack something that does not apply to there lifestyle choice,i think civil unions are more reflective way to approach this situation,
Posted by: victor knopp | June 17, 2008 at 02:39 PM
One year ago I left Texas for Southern California. Thank you for validating my decision.
Posted by: tweath1 | June 17, 2008 at 03:50 PM
Congratulations to Mr. Takei and Mr. Altman, and to all the others finally able to marry in California.
How sad that some people want to impose their hatred and bigotry on others by forbidding gay marriage. If people want to be hateful and bigoted in their private lives that's one thing, but there's no excuse for attacking basic civil liberties. It's anti-American, and it's wrong.
Posted by: Amanda | June 17, 2008 at 04:34 PM
Our inalienable right of the "pursuit of happiness" is being protected! Exactly what our forefathers wanted!
Posted by: Congratulations!!! | June 17, 2008 at 04:57 PM
I'm so happy for them - I really can't believe some people who use religion to prop up their hate. Get over it! No one is getting hurt here. It's about love ya morons!
Posted by: Congratulations!!! | June 17, 2008 at 05:07 PM
What God has anything to do with marriage right?!
So did God also said that the Sun revolved around the Earth and interracial marriage is a sin?
Posted by: Harry | June 17, 2008 at 05:19 PM
To All The Newlyweds:
Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
To all opposed:
1) Separation of church and state, plainly, simply and inarguably.
Marriage is a religious practice and should have nothing to do with any level of government. Keep your holy-moly out of my politics! This is one of the first and most important rights our forefathers laid out for us! When the christians and catholics are in charged people end up getting burned at the stake and hung. If you're church doesn't support gay marriage, then that must be the right one for you. Look how well voting for the christian worked these last 8 years.
2) Equal rights for all!! Regardless of race, creed, religion OR sexual orientation. Another thing that makes America America is the fact that most of us support those standards, if you don't you should probably take up residence in a cave and try and get in touch with your inner-Neanderthal because you're a few rungs down the evolutionary ladder from the rest of us.
Posted by: Paul Leech | June 17, 2008 at 05:21 PM
According to Christ, isn't the greatest commandment to LOVE one another? It's so much harder to do than sit in judgment without any apparent personal thought.
Posted by: jojo and sumo | June 17, 2008 at 05:22 PM
Congrats George and Brad-
Posted by: cooper | June 17, 2008 at 05:26 PM
Mr. Takei was the first celebrity I ever met when I was a child and in the many years since he still stands out as being the kindest and most open. I'm sincerely happy for them both.
Posted by: Eamon | June 17, 2008 at 05:42 PM
God sees homosexuality as an abomination. Although these people are getting married and being happy, in the light of eternity they are all going to burn in Hell for turning against God. It's the truth. Read the Bible.
Posted by: Kate | June 17, 2008 at 05:44 PM
GEORGE & BRAD.......
WE ARE VERY HAPPY FOR YOU AND ALL THE SAME SEX COUPLES.....................TRUE LOVE IS WHAT MATTERS..............
LOVE & PEACE............................"Live Long and Prosper."(AS KEVIN SAID)
YOUR FRIENDS,
JOE & EL
Posted by: JOE & EL | June 17, 2008 at 05:52 PM
West Hollywood: A happy star's trek to a wedding license
I care less what they do, but really is our world going bananas?...I feel that I'm going to wake up any minuet now. the most beautiful thing to me was my parents two individual of the opposite sex in love with each other...The real question is when are Tom, Dick & Harry going to get married???
Posted by: Sad | June 17, 2008 at 06:20 PM
Best of luck to both of you and congratulations!
Posted by: John | June 17, 2008 at 07:58 PM
Congrats to Mr. Takei and Mr. Altman and all the other lucky couples now able to get married in California. Me, I've spent the last fifteen years married to the same wonderful woman and consider Mr Takeis marriage as much a threat to my own as I do his preffered brand of pancake syrup. If somebody else getting married is really a threat to your marriage the problem ISN"T with the somebody else but a mite closer to home.
Posted by: Bob | June 18, 2008 at 04:46 AM
perverts!!!!!!!!!!! queers are bad!!!!!!!! same sex marraige is wrong!
Posted by: Joshua Aaron | June 18, 2008 at 05:20 AM
you are all wonderfull loving people,my sister is gay and married,and that does not change my love for her or the fact that marriage does not apply to the gay population,harry read the book insread of commenting on things you know nothing about,and if you know nothing about so-called religon then stop trying to take what we must protect,its not bigotry,judgement,or hate as you say,its just plain wrong,nothing wrong with civil unions,live learn love and shut up about that which you know nothing about,good luck explaining to god why you just had to change his guidance
Posted by: victor knopp | June 18, 2008 at 08:59 AM
I am glad for all of you "christians" that you have found a faith to cling to and a god who brings you comfort. The part you are missing is that they are not my faith nor my god. I have faith, and I believe in god; they are just a different faith and different god than yours. What our country was founded upon was our freedom to choose our own faith and god, not have the government nor even a majority of the population choose for us. The US Constitution is in place specifically to protect those of us whose beliefs are DIFFERENT from the majority.
I realize your faith and your god say I will burn in hell for all eternity for loving people of the same sex. I'm comfortable with that. It's okay, really, you don't have to save me from this. I DON'T CARE! My faith, and my god, WHICH I UNDERSTAND YOU DO NOT BELIEVE IN, are loving and caring towards all people, including gay people and even including hate-filled "christians." I am completely clear on the fact that you believe I am wrong. It's okay. I believe you are wrong, so we're even. It's okay even though your god (apparently, based upon your behavior) allows hatred and harm to others; mine does not, so I refrain from it. In fact, my god, in his inspired word, specifically says on several occasions in this good book that he reserves the judgment of good and evil to himself alone and clearly enjoins his followers NOT to judge the behavior of others, on penalty of eternal damnation. You might find that good book interesting. It's called the Bible, and in the New Testament the son of god HIMSELF comes to earth and in each account of his coming (there are four) he is quoted as saying that his father would condemn to hell anyone who judges another. Oddly, this son of god never mentions anything about gay marriage. So, I plan to marry anyone I choose, but I will refrain from judging you (and it's really hard) because my god reserves judgement unto himself.
Posted by: Differing beliefs? | June 21, 2008 at 10:46 PM
not all "us Christians" think the same way about these things. I for one don't care what the government does or says, and I also believe that I have nothing to do with this kingdom that is a worldly one. I also follow a Jesus that says we are to love even our enemies, and I have met few gay men or women that would qualify as enemies, many more that are friends. I also believe that Jesus would have shown himself a faithful friend to those the religious power structures vilify.
It is interesting in a book that has only a very small number of verses that reference homosexuality, (most of those in the old testament that also says I should not cut my beard, or do any work from Friday sundown til Saturday sundown), and has well over a thousand references to social justice, we make such a fuss over the minority. When Jesus speaks much more about what you do with your wallet than with your genitals, we spend so much energy on the sexuality part of life.
I say the God of Jesus is love, and when we love, we are following Jesus.
john
Posted by: john jensen | June 22, 2008 at 11:52 AM