HRC Back Story

Star Trek legend and HRC Coming Out Project spokesperson George Takei and his partner of 21 years, Brad Altman, were the first couple to receive a marriage license today in West Hollywood. We're thrilled to post George Takei's first-hand perspective on the couple's special day:

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We are back at our home in Los Angeles after a hurly burly morning in West Hollywood, where we applied and received our marriage license.

We are feeling a combination of exhaustion and exhilaration after sharing the morning with hundreds of other couples taking this historic opportunity.

Although we were put in the media spotlight because of my Star Trek fame, we felt one with everyone’s joy on this landmark occasion.

The last 48 hours have been a whirlwind. Our trek to the alter began at 2:30 a.m. Monday morning when we crawled out of bed to get ready to appear on the CBS Early Show, and it never stopped.

We were interviewed by tons of electronic media, including ET, Access Hollywood, CNN (including its Latino arm), and Inside Edition. We even did some interviews with Nippon TV and Sankei Shimbun from Japan.  We cannot possibly keep track of all the print and radio interviews we are still giving today and throughout this week.

This is a glorious California morning of making history.

Now the love that Brad Altman and I have shared for each other for these last 21 years will be recognized and celebrated joyfully when we get married in September.

[Photo: George Takei and Brad Altman sign documents to get their marriage license today in West Hollywood.]