by Rex Wockner
National News Briefs
George Takei, who played Mr. Sulu on the original "Star Trek" TV series, married his longtime partner, Brad Altman, at the Japanese American National Museum in downtown Los Angeles on Sept 14.
Takei, 71, and Altman, 54, have been together for 21 years.
About 200 people attended the Buddhist ceremony in the museum's Democracy Forum.
"I vow to care for you as you've cared for me … and to love you as my husband and the only man in my life," Takei said as he held Altman's hands.
Guests included U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Inouye of Hawaii and Los Angeles City Councilmember Jan Perry. Walter Koenig, who played Ensign Chekov on the first "Star Trek" series, was best man, and Nichelle Nichols, who played Lt. Uhura, was best lady.
Takei helped create the museum to honor Japanese-Americans such as himself who were placed in internment camps during World War II. About 120,000 people suffered that fate.
"The lifelong promise George and Brad made to each other, in the presence of friends and family, is an affirmation of the love and commitment that they have shared for 21 years," said Neil G. Giuliano, president of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation.