"Target that Closet... And Fire!"

From your Chicago Sun-Times:

George Takei, best known for his role as Mr. Sulu in ''Star Trek,'' came out as homosexual in the current issue of a magazine covering the Los Angeles gay and lesbian community. ***

"The world has changed from when I was a young teen feeling ashamed for being gay," he said. "The issue of gay marriage is now a political issue. That would have been unthinkable when I was young."

The 68-year-old actor said he and his partner, Brad Altman, have been together for 18 years.

Takei, a Japanese American who lived in a U.S. internment camp from age 4 to 8, said he grew up feeling ashamed of his ethnicity and sexuality. He likened prejudice against gays to racial segregation.

"It's against basic decency and what American values stand for," he said.

And may the Great Bird of the Galaxy bless America.