Los Angeles, CA -
Actor and gay-activist George Takei, best known for his role as Mr. Sulu on the popular sci-fi television series, has married his partner of 21 years in a ceremony in Los Angeles.
Takei, 71, and Altman, 54, exchanged vows during a ceremony officiated by a Buddhist priest at the Japanese American National Museum on Sunday evening.
Over 200 guests attended, including original Star Trek castmates Nichelle Nichols,who portrayed communications officer Lieutenant Uhura, and Walter Koenig, who played navigator Pavel Chekov, serving as best lady and best man.
Takei and Altman were the first couple to receive marriage license in West Hollywood when California began issuing them to gay couples on June 17.
According to the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation Web site, the couple wrote their own vows. "I vow to care for you as you've cared for me ... and to love you as my husband and the only man in my life," Takei said as he held Altman's hands.
The priest pronounced them "spouses for life."
In June, California became the second US state after Massachusetts to permit gay marriage.
Californians will vote on November 4 on amending the state constitution to ban gay marriage, after opponents of the practice gathered enough signatures to get a referendum on the ballot.
"May equality live long and prosper," Takei said on his way out of the ceremony.
Takei served as the Grand Marshal for the 37th Annual Chicago Pride Parade in June 2006. (Read the ChicagoPride.com interview with George Takei in 2006)
Video from Sunday's ceremony:
Takei, 71, and Altman, 54, exchanged vows during a ceremony officiated by a Buddhist priest at the Japanese American National Museum on Sunday evening.
Over 200 guests attended, including original Star Trek castmates Nichelle Nichols,who portrayed communications officer Lieutenant Uhura, and Walter Koenig, who played navigator Pavel Chekov, serving as best lady and best man.
Takei and Altman were the first couple to receive marriage license in West Hollywood when California began issuing them to gay couples on June 17.
According to the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation Web site, the couple wrote their own vows. "I vow to care for you as you've cared for me ... and to love you as my husband and the only man in my life," Takei said as he held Altman's hands.
The priest pronounced them "spouses for life."
In June, California became the second US state after Massachusetts to permit gay marriage.
Californians will vote on November 4 on amending the state constitution to ban gay marriage, after opponents of the practice gathered enough signatures to get a referendum on the ballot.
"May equality live long and prosper," Takei said on his way out of the ceremony.
Takei served as the Grand Marshal for the 37th Annual Chicago Pride Parade in June 2006. (Read the ChicagoPride.com interview with George Takei in 2006)
Video from Sunday's ceremony:
