Queer Figure: George Takei (ohh my…)

Happy 88th Birthday to George Takei — A True Queer Icon

I hesitate to call George Takei simply a Queer Figure — because he’s so much more than that. He’s a legend, an icon, and a true force of nature.

For many of us, he will always be Hikaru Sulu from Star Trek, which premiered nearly 60 years ago (yes, before I was born!). That show wasn’t just groundbreaking because of its sci-fi storytelling — it was a vision of hope. It showed a future where people of different races, nationalities, and genders worked together as equals. For its time, that was revolutionary. And George Takei stood at the heart of that vision.

But beyond the bridge of the Enterprise, what’s even more powerful to me is George’s personal journey. He came out publicly as a gay man in 2005 — and in 2008, he married the love of his life, Brad Altman. Since then, the two of them have been powerful and visible advocates for LGBTQ+ rights, marriage equality, and civil liberties. Their love and activism have meant so much to our community and to the world at large.

George never stopped working, either. He’s kept an active acting career — reprising Sulu on Star Trek: Lower Decks, playing a recurring character on Heroes, and lending his voice and presence to a wide range of projects. His social media accounts have become must-follows, blending sharp political insight, queer advocacy, and his trademark humor. He’s proof that relevance isn’t tied to youth — it’s tied to honesty, wit, and a willingness to evolve.

He’s also been a huge personal inspiration to me.

As a child, George was imprisoned in a Japanese American internment camp during World War II — a trauma he transformed into art through the Broadway musical Allegiance. He’s used his platform to educate generations about that dark chapter in American history, making sure it’s never forgotten. His graphic memoir They Called Us Enemy is a powerful and accessible window into that history.

And then there’s his performance in the Twilight Zone episode “The Encounter” — a powerful and haunting portrayal of a young Japanese American man confronting a WWII veteran. The episode was so raw and unflinching in its exploration of racism, guilt, and war trauma that it was pulled from syndication for decades. But George’s performance? Chilling. Emotional. Unforgettable.

Of course, no retrospective would be complete without mentioning his iconic “feud” with William Shatner — part real, part performance, part fandom lore. It’s become a staple of Star Trek culture and always good for a laugh.

And who could forget the unlikely yet brilliant resurgence of George’s career thanks to The Howard Stern Show? His regular appearances on the show introduced him to a whole new audience, and he embraced it with grace, humor, and that unmistakable voice. Stern’s show helped reveal more of George’s personality to the world — not just the actor, but the man: wise, funny, vulnerable, and utterly charming.

So today, as George Takei turns 88, we celebrate not just a birthday, but a life — one filled with resilience, creativity, courage, and impact.

Thank you, George, for everything. You’ve boldly gone — and taken all of us with you.

Further Reading

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