So George Takei, best known as Star Trek’s Lieutenant Sulu, has finally come out at the age of 68. Better to come late to the party than never I guess…
The whole famous gay person’s responsibility to come out, take the heat, and be a role model is always a bit of a ethical quandary. It’s what a socialist friend of mind referred to as an “imperfect obligation”. Like giving to the poor, it’s an ethical responsibility that must be mitigated by personal circumstances – it’s not something everyone should do all the time. I don’t know Mr. Takei’s circumstances so I suppose I really can’t judge his choices.
I can say that when he was a younger man, he might have had the opportunity to make a real impact for the betterment of gays everywhere — and I’m sorry he couldn’t take that path.