Quantcast

The DNAinfo archives brought to you by WNYC.
Read the press release here.

George Takei Suits Up to Encourage Gay and Lesbian Households to Complete Census

By DNAinfo Staff on April 5, 2010 6:53pm  | Updated on April 6, 2010 4:52am

By Nicole Breskin

DNAinfo Reporter/Producer

CHELSEA — If there's one thing that would get "Star Trek" actor George Takei to don his Starfleet uniform again, it's a good cause.

That's why when the U.S. Census Bureau announced that for the first time the census will include counts of same-sex partners and same-sex spouses, the intergalatic star couldn't help but suit up again for a public service announcement.

"We wanted to do our PSA in a way that would reach as many people as possible, rather than have it be a drab documentary," enthused Takei at an event in Chelsea on Monday. "That's why I thought if I put my Starfleet uniform on, maybe it would get some attention."

But Takei insisted the real attention grabber should not be not him. Instead, he pushed his "tinfoil diva" — husband, Brad Altman, who dressed as an alien for the PSA wearing a hat made out of aluminum foil — on to center stage.

From left: Christine Quinn, Glennda Testone, Brad Altman, George Takei and Timothy Olson.
From left: Christine Quinn, Glennda Testone, Brad Altman, George Takei and Timothy Olson.
View Full Caption
DNAinfo/Nicole Breskin

"I thought I was a professional," said Takei, while standing next to Altman who was beaming. "But when I saw the finished product, Brad stole the PSA from me. He's a shameless scene stealer."

"I learned from the best," Atlman cooed back.

The couple, along with politicians and activists, turned out to the LGBT Community Center to encourage lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender locals in Chelsea to fill out census forms in a historic census year for the community and unveil six public service announcement videos specifically targeting the LGBT community.

The 2010 census is the first to report counts of same-sex partners and same-sex spouses. Before marriage was only tallied for submissions between a man and a woman.

This year, census data is based on how couples identify themselves/ Same-sex couples who consider themselves married, but aren't recognized as such by New York law can still report — and be counted as — being married.

City Speaker Christine Quinn said at the event that filling out the census was not a laughing matter, though, in that it plays an important role in politics and funding.

“Literally, if we don’t fill this out, we’re going to lose representation in Washington,” she said. “Less New Yorkers in Washington is not a pretty thought."

Census data is used to determine the need for social services, and distribution of funds. The number of House of Representative officials per state is also allocated based on population as reflected in the census reports.

Takei and Altman were wed while same-sex marriage was legal in California, before Proposition 8 was ruled by the state’s supreme court.

Barack Obama, Karl Rove and Miss America are also participating in PSAs encouraging the community to fill out and mail in census forms.