Craig Barritt/Getty George Takei, now 88, said coming out as gay two decades ago when he was 68 helped him feel "whole" TheStar Trekalum came out in 2005 and married husband Brad Altman three years later Takei said living as his true self "feels very liberating" ForGeorge Takei, coming out helped him feel like his complete self — even if he did so later in life. TheStar Trekalum, now 88, came out as gay two decades ago when he was 68. It's a decision he described toUSA Today, when reflecting on the moment, as one that helped him feel like his "whole self." "It feels very liberating," he said. "I don't have to be on my guard, kind of mentally fencing and saying what I want to say but without giving myself away. I developed that skill, but now I don't need to. I can be candid and forthright." Takei came out as gay in 2005 — a move he has said waspromptedby then-GovernorArnold Schwarzeneggervetoing a bill that would legalize same-sex marriage in California. Though he'd already been with hisnow-husband Brad Altmanfor nearly two decades at the time, he tellsUSA Todayhe felt like he could never be his "whole self." Tommaso Boddi/Variety via Getty "Here I am protecting my job, my career, what I want to do, while others who had the same difference that I did were sacrificing all that and actively engaging with the larger society and making progress," he said. Takei and Altman wed in 2008, with Takei'sStar TrekcostarNichelle Nicholsserving as their maid of honor. "He keeps me laughing and he keeps me getting angry. I think it's sharing these emotions," the actor said in 2024. Takei joked that he and Altman are "opposites," but he appreciates their differences. "Brad is a strict disciplinarian," he said. "Brad is detail-oriented and he's organized and he brings that detail and organization to my life so that I can do what I do." Takei added, "We understand each other." The actor's latest book, titledIt Rhymes with Takei, recounts Takei's childhood through present day. CBS via Getty "Looking back on his astonishing life on both sides of the closet door, George Takei presents a charismatic and candid account of how far America has come… and how precious that progress is," reads a description from publisher Top Shelf Productions. It Rhymes with Takeiis out now. Read the original article onPeople
