Metro Weekly

George Takei: Arnold Schwarzenegger inspired me to come out

“I’d spent a lifetime being silent on the issue… now I had to speak up.”

Courtesy of George Takei

–Actor and LGBT activist George Takei, speaking with Winq magazine. Takei felt compelled to publicly announce his sexuality following then Governor Schwarzenegger’s decision to veto California’s Marriage Equality Bill. “He played to the reactionary conservative element of the Republican party and vetoed it,” Takei said. “Both Brad [George’s husband] and I were raging, our blood was boiling…. We saw all these young people pouring out onto Santa Monica Boulevard, venting their rage against Schwarzenegger. They inspired me.”

Image: Courtesy of George Takei

Support Metro Weekly’s Journalism

These are challenging times for news organizations. And yet it’s crucial we stay active and provide vital resources and information to both our local readers and the world. So won’t you please take a moment and consider supporting Metro Weekly with a membership? For as little as $5 a month, you can help ensure Metro Weekly magazine and MetroWeekly.com remain free, viable resources as we provide the best, most diverse, culturally-resonant LGBTQ coverage in both the D.C. region and around the world. Memberships come with exclusive perks and discounts, your own personal digital delivery of each week’s magazine (and an archive), access to our Member's Lounge when it launches this fall, and exclusive members-only items like Metro Weekly Membership Mugs and Tote Bags! Check out all our membership levels here and please join us today!