George Takei: How Schwarzenegger's Veto Initiated His Activism | Big Think

Overview

George Takei explains how being closeted for most of his adult life shaped both his career and his later activism. He describes the barriers he faced as an Asian aspiring actor—stereotypes portraying Asians as killers, spies, or servile/buffoons—and adds that being gay would have been an even greater career risk. In his account, openly gay performers were often not cast or saw their careers fade.

Career and the Pressure of Secrecy

Takei recounts how the threat of public exposure forced him to constantly guard his identity, using careful wording and denial of parts of himself even as his acting career progressed.

He also notes that gay bars in Los Angeles provided temporary relief and community. However, he was terrified by stories of police raids, where patrons were reportedly marched out, fingerprinted, photographed, and placed into records that could ruin lives.

Connecting Past Trauma to State-Sanctioned Injustice

Takei connects these raids to earlier trauma he experienced as a child in Japanese American internment camps during World War II. He argues that both situations reflected state-sanctioned injustice: one targeting Japanese Americans based on appearance, and the other criminalizing homosexuality at the time.

He identifies Stonewall as a galvanizing turning point—where resistance helped spark broader societal change.

Progress Toward Marriage Equality

He then highlights progress in the 21st century:

• Massachusetts: Court rulings supported constitutional marriage equality.
• California: Marriage equality passed through the legislature.

The remaining step was then Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s signature. Takei says the governor vetoed the bill despite campaigning with the claim that he had worked with people from the community—and having gay friends—presenting himself as sympathetic.

Turning Points: Protests and Coming Out

Takei describes watching protests against the veto on Santa Monica Boulevard as a key turning point—for both him and his partner. He says that this moment led him, at age 68, to speak publicly for the first time as a gay man and to criticize Schwarzenegger’s decision.

Conclusion

Takei concludes that instead of harming his career, coming out and activism ultimately led to more work and renewed purpose.

Presenters or Contributors

• George Takei