Mr. Sulu comes out.

George Takei, best known for playing Mr. Sulu in the original Star Trek series has officially come out as a gay man in the Los Angeles gay paper Frontiers.

George and his partner Brad Altman have been together for 18 years. I was acquainted with them some years ago--they met in the Gay and Lesbian track club, Frontrunners, both being avid runners.

Although they had socialized with his Star Trek co-stars and been active in Frontrunners, George had not publicly said he was gay.

Congratulations guys!

I'm really pleased for them--they're really a terrific couple. George is a native Angeleno, and served for 12 years on the board of the Los Angeles Rapid Transit District (now the MTA). The article mentions his appearance in Equus with L.A.'s East/West Players which he has supported for years. He has also appeared in many other plays over the years. I hope more of the Gay and Lesbian Star Trek alumni will come out now. There are more than a couple of them still "under cover"! George has truly gone where no gay or lesbian has gone before!