George Takei slams Proposition 8 vote

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 5 (UPI) -- TV actor George Takei, who wed his longtime partner Brad Altman in September, said it is astounding to him that California voters chose to ban gay marriage.

A majority of California voters Tuesday passed Proposition 8, a measure that overturns a state Supreme Court ruling legalizing same-sex marriages.

"Last night, I was filled with pride to be an American. It was an exhilarating night of celebration. Barack Obama's victory was a miraculous moment in our history," Takei told Usmagazine.com exclusively.

Takei said the joy he felt because of that victory was dampened, however, by the fact that people were supporting an initiative that meant "our fight for marriage equality was going down to defeat."

"It was astounding to think that the hard-won equality that made my recent marriage to Brad Altman would no longer be possible for others," the former "Star Trek" star said Wednesday. "The evening became bitter-sweet. ... The words from Barack Obama's victory speech still resonates in my mind. What an amazing night it was -- the culmination of a turbulent struggle against a disgraceful history of slavery, prejudice and racial conflict. The road ahead is long, the road will be steep, he said. Our struggles for equality for another minority, gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgendered, will be no different. ... We will make it happen. Yes we can."