Mr. Sulu helps the Equality Riders!

[NathanATX]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060418/...e_george_takei

MINNEAPOLIS - Mr. Sulu beamed down to lend support to student gay activists who tried to visit a private Christian university.

George Takei, who played the helmsman in three "Star Trek" TV seasons and six movies, made a surprise appearance Monday after a busload of Soulforce Equality Riders tried to talk about faith and gay rights with students at North Central University in downtown Minneapolis.

The 33 activists are traveling by bus to 19 U.S. colleges with religion-based policies opposed to homosexuality. They were locked out of school buildings when they arrived at North Central, which is owned and operated by the Assemblies of God.

After sitting in front of the doors for most of the afternoon, the Soulforce riders and supporters rallied at a park across the street when Takei, who came out as a homosexual last year, stopped by.

The 68-year-old actor said the activists' "equality trek" shares themes with those of the starship Enterprise.

"They have shown courage and character in showing that most people of faith are not extreme reactionaries who oppose equal rights," he said.

Tour organizer Jacob Reitan, 24, said the colleges they are visiting "equate homosexuality with sickness and sin. It's time to have a conversation instead of defaming our humanity."

Nate Ruch, executive director of university relations at North Central, said last week that the riders declined an offer to have a third party mediate a discussion.

Takei was in town to speak at a gay pride event at the University of Minnesota.

[Dash]

I saw this! He rocks!!!

[themattperry]

AWESOME!!!!!!! I love my gay sulu!

[Vanessa White]

I knew he was at the rally, but was thinking he was an Ally. I never heard that he came out. AWESOME!!!!!! I will never watch Star Trek the same way again!

[Daniel]

Way to go Sulu!!!!!

[Jamie McDaniel]

Well, I never thought Soulforce would be mentioned on StarTrek.com!

www.startrek.com/startrek/view/news/article/15937.html

p.s. For you Star Trek fans, an 11th movie was just announced today.

[Jamie McDaniel]

Sometimes the best way to deal with prejudice is with humor. I thought I would post this here instead of a new thread because the 2007 Equality Ride is set to launch next week and, being a Star Trek fan, I envy the 2006 riders in the picture above. (William Shatner the "negotiator" will be helping us out this year when Soulforce tries to negotiate an end to the anti-gay policies at these colleges. )

[andrewlittle]

I hope Hardaway has nightmares. Of course, with him being a homophobe, and with what those psychologists tellus, he could have dreams of a different sort - if you know what I mean.

[Joe Allen]

That video was hilarious! Thanks for posting the link.

[NathanATX]

Loved the video!

[scorpiogirl]

Yay! That is so wonderful of him! He's been guest starring on NBC's "Heroes" recently if anyone wants to see what he has been up to acting wise.

[tdogg]

Loved it! Funny, with a capital FUN-E! I would love to forward it to so many...but, most likely they would actually believe it to be true and not comic. George T you rock!