Star Trek's Mr. Sulu
Backs Gay Activists
By AP from the
NYTimes on the Web, April 19, 2006
MINNEAPOLIS, Apr.18 -- 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.
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