Coming out in Hollywood can be a bit difficult for some celebrities, often taking them a long time to talk about it in public. Actor George Takei is a living example of the statement. After being in a relationship with now-husband Brad Takei for eighteen years, the actor finally came out to the public in 2005 and Arnold Schwarzenegger had something to do with it.
The actor was in the closet for such a long time because he simply wanted to continue working in Hollywood. While there might be many reasons why someone chooses to finally disclose their sexuality to the public, George Takei’s announcement came from anger. Anger towards what, you may ask? His anger was aimed toward Arnold Schwarzenegger and his hypocrisy towards homosexuality.
George Takei Upset at Arnold Schwarzenegger
In a recent interview with The Stage shared by Variety, George Takei stated that Arnold Schwarzenegger’s actions as the then-Governor of California drove him to come out. Schwarzenegger had vetoed a bill that would allow people to marry their same-sex partners. Vetoing a bill, in simpler words, means to reject a bill.
However, there was more to the story. Takei talked about Schwarzenegger’s hypocrisy as well. According to him, The Terminator actor presented himself as someone who was friends with homosexual people. On the other hand, his decision to veto the same-sex marriage bill proved otherwise.
“Why did I come out when I did? Because Schwarzenegger presented himself as a movie star who had worked and was friends with gays and lesbians, many of whom voted for him, but then vetoed that bill. I was so angry that I spoke to the press for the first time as a gay man at the age of 68.”
Takei, while coming out to the Los Angeles magazine, Frontiers, stated that times had changed. He no longer felt the need to be ashamed of who he chooses to love. Apart from anger towards Schwarzenegger, his role in the play Equus also drove him to come out.
The bill which Schwarzenegger ended up vetoing was proposed by Democratic Assemblyman Mark Leno. Via The Independent, the governor believed that the bill would add “confusion to a constitutional issue.” He also vetoed another bill on the same issue two years later.
George Takei Expected Arnold Schwarzenegger to Sign
Back in 2006, Takei talked to The Progressive Magazine where he was asked if he expected Schwarzenegger to sign the bill. All the bill needed was the approval of the governor. Since, according to Takei, Schwarzenegger had worked with gays and lesbians and on the basis of that alone, there was no doubt that he would approve the bill.
However, as we know, that didn’t happen. Takei told the outlet that Schwarzenegger’s betrayal sparked something in him. He felt the need to be authentic and stand up for himself and the LGBTQ+ community.
“When he betrayed them and played to the narrowest, most reactionary, conservative segment of his base and vetoed the bill, I felt the need to speak out…I felt my voice needed to authentic. And so I spoke to the press for the first time.”
The Star Trek actor revealed that people received his announcement in an extremely positive way. He stated, “The demands were overwhelming,” and that the best part was all the positive e-mails he received. However, there were some negative reactions as well, although Takei stated that they were less than 10% in number.
While Takei was worried about the limitations he already had as an Asian-American, he made the right decision. He and his husband, Brad Takei, have now been together for over 35 years.
Source: The Stage
