George Takei Beaming in to Portland

George Takei, who since his days as "Mr. Sulu" on Star Trek in the 1960s, has gone on to become a noted activist for gay rights, is coming to Portland later this month.

The 73-year-old Japanese-American actor, who spent part of his childhood in internment camps in the United States, will speak at a Feb. 20 event sponsored by the Portland Japanese American Citizens League. The event, "Fighting for Civil Rights: The Japanese-American and LGBT Experience," will run from 1 pm to 3 pm at Portland State University's Hoffman Hall (1833 SW 11th Ave.) and admission is free.

More information about the Feb. 20 event is here. The night before, on Feb. 19, Takei will also be speaking in Portland at a benefit for the Oregon Nikkei Endowment.

Good on him (The only thing stopping me from making a "Live long and prosper" reference here to Takei is risking Trekkies' wrath—or any other wrath—for using a line from Spock.)