WASHINGTON — Gay rights activist George Takei will speak about LGBT issues at a National Press Club Speakers Luncheon, Oct. 18. In his speech entitled, Embracing Change, Takei will address the growing momentum for legalizing same-sex marriage in the U.S.
Takei, who became famous playing Lieutenant Hikaru Sulu on the Star Trek TV series and in the franchise’s films, has also become one of the most prominent LGBT and social justice activists in the country. He also boasts more than 800,000 followers on Twitter and is the author of Oh Myyy! There Goes the Internet. He’s also starring in the upcoming Broadway musical Allegiance.
In a Washington Post editorial published June 27, 2013, Takei wrote, “Whenever one group discriminates against another — keeping its members out of a club, a public facility or an institution — it often boils down to a visceral, negative response to something unfamiliar. I call this the ‘ick.’
For more than 70 years, I’ve watched the ick infect American life in a variety of ways and concluded that it’s little more than a function of unfamiliarity. Once upon a time, you never saw two men kissing — for that, you’d have to visit an adult video store.”
The Press Club luncheon will begin promptly at 12:30 p.m. Remarks will begin at 1 p.m., followed by a question-and-answer session, ending at 2 p.m. Tickets may be purchased by going to the following link. The cost of luncheon admission is $21 for National Press Club members and $35 for non-members. Tickets must be purchased at time of reservation.
National Press Club Luncheons are webcast live on press.org. Follow the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #NPCLunch, or on Facebook (facebook.com/PressClubDC) and Twitter (@PressClubDC). Submit questions for speakers in advance and during the live event by sending them to @QNPCLunch on Twitter. Or email a question in advance, type TAKEI in the subject line and send to president@press.orgbefore 10 a.m. on the day of event.
