George Takei and His Husband Make a Perfect Team
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Star Trek star George Takei and his husband Brad Altman have been in a relationship for over 35 years. The two aren’t just life partners but also in their professional work.
The pair has gone through many things, including hiding their relationship from the public eye for nearly two decades.
Since coming out in 2005, Takei and Altman have both talked about each other on multiple occasions.
They have also been the first for many things. For instance, Takei and his husband were the first openly gay contestants to compete in The Newlywed Game since its inception.
How George Takei Met His Husband
Takei met Altman for the first time in the 1980s at an LGBT club called Frontrunners. The actor recounted their first meeting on OWN’s Where Are They Now.
“Brad was a runner, and I was a runner, and we both happened to join a gay running club,” Takei shared.
“He was the best runner in the club and also great looking. And so I went up to him and asked him to train me for my first marathon. Before long, we became partners.”
George Takei with longtime partner Brad Altman (Source: YouTube)
Takei and Altman started dating in 1985. Starting in the early 1990s, Altman also turned into Takei’s business partner.
Coming Out as Gay
Takei and Altman kept their relationship a secret for twenty years before Takei finally came out as gay to Frontiers magazine in 2005.
Takei later revealed that he never wanted to hide his relationship with Altman but had no other choice because he didn’t want to lose his career.
“My closet years were tortuous,” he said of his early years when he was hiding he was gay. “I had that constant fear of exposure. The press could have destroyed my career.”
George Takei & Brad Altman’s Marriage
On May 16, 2008, just one day after the California Supreme Court lifted its ban on gay marriage, Takei announced his plan to take Altman as his husband on his website.
“Our California dream is reality,” he wrote. “Brad Altman and I can now marry.”
“We are overjoyed! At long last, the barrier to full marriage rights for same-sex couples has been torn down. We are equal with all citizens of our state!”
Takei and Altman got a marriage license a month later and tied the knot on September 14, 2008. The wedding was held at the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles, California.
George Takei and husband Brad Altman during their wedding (Source: YouTube)
The ceremony featured elements from many cultures, including a Buddhist priest, Native American wedding bands, and a Japanese Koto harp and bagpipes.
Takei’s Star Trek co-stars Walter Koenig and Nichelle Nichols served as best man and best lady.
Speaking about having Nichols serve as the best lady on his and Altman’s big day, he said it was to reflect diversity in their wedding.
The Secret to Successful Relationship
Takei and his husband have been together for a long time. He previously shared the secret to his relationship’s longevity when talking to Variety.
The actor shared that the reason his marriage worked so well was that he and Altman were a true team.
He noted the two complemented each other, with him being the actor, writer, and activist and Brad being the manager, scheduler, and all-around essential guy.
Takei further added that he and Altman just loved being able to share their lives and livelihood.