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Star Trek Actor's Satirical Response to Tim "I Hate Gay People" Hardaway [VIDEO]

Posted by Evan Derkacz at 10:43 AM on February 23, 2007.


Former Star Trek star and gay activist George Takei takes on former NBA player Tim Hardaway's homophobic statement by comically threatening to have sex with him.
takei hardaway

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When former NBA star Tim Hardaway was asked about the recent coming out of another former player, John Amaechi, he replied: "I hate gay people... let it be known I don't like gay people. I'm homophobic."

After losing an endorsement, being scratched from events, and basically getting his ass chewed out by gay and lesbian groups he admitted that he shouldn't have used the word "hate," that his remarks were "very bad."

That has all the sincerity of a Mel Gibson apology.

Well, on the Jimmy Kimmel show this week, Star Trek's George Takei (Mr. Sulu), a gay man and a human being, responds with a hysterical and bold promise... watch upper right...

Digg!

Evan Derkacz is an AlterNet editor. He writes and edits PEEK, the blog of blogs.


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Mr. Sulu Gay?
Posted by: pcushniesr on Feb 23, 2007 11:55 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I didn't know that. Do you think the Federation had a "Don't ask, don't tell" policy?

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» RE: Mr. Sulu Gay? Posted by: Pastor Doodah
» RE: Mr. Sulu Gay? Posted by: thirdmg
» RE: Mr. Sulu Gay? Posted by: marykane
Mr Sulu - the best helmsman EVER!
Posted by: moflard on Feb 23, 2007 2:25 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
ROTFL - Pure class!

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Makes you wonder...
Posted by: Tacticsb on Feb 23, 2007 4:22 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
This guy is great but IMHO severly underappreciated. Why did we not see more of him even in Star Trek? (Pick a version!!!) He has class and strength of character and actually has a good sense of humor. Too bad the many producers of StarTrek and it's spin offs did not more fully utilize Mr Takei. Glad that he is finally starting to get more of the attention that he has long deserved.
George showed how a real man deals with idiots!

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GEORGE....THAT ROCKS!!!!
Posted by: sphoenix on Feb 23, 2007 6:25 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Classic...it couldn't have been any better!

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Three cheers
Posted by: emsuka on Feb 23, 2007 8:04 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Excellent response.

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hilarious, but...
Posted by: dhardisty on Feb 24, 2007 12:25 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Spot on satire; I loved it. However, I worry that the very people it is poking fun at will not get the joke -- I think that a lot of homophobes actually are worried that gay people will sneak up on them and have sex with them when they aren't paying attention, as ridiculous as that sounds, so they would almost take this video seriously.

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» RE: hilarious, but... Posted by: diof09
» RE: hilarious, maybe not... Posted by: MartianBachelor
» RE: hilarious, maybe not... Posted by: kelt65
» RE: hilarious, but... Posted by: GK
» RE: hilarious, but... Posted by: xgroverx
Mr. Takei is my hero
Posted by: willie.horton on Feb 24, 2007 3:55 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
George Takei is the best. His recurring appearances on the Howard Stern show are priceless. Here, he simultaneously voices and mocks the homophobes' worst nightmare: "Someday, when you least expect it, I will have sex with you."

If he had done that tape for Stern, we wouldn't be able to watch it on TV...

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Great in so many ways
Posted by: HeroesAll on Feb 24, 2007 4:05 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
This is priceless. For starters, it's a gay person fearlessly poking fun back at the homophobes. For seconds, it's George Takei, who's funny and cool and a geek icon.

And for thirds, this is exactly the best way to deal with that sort of blatant homophobic ignorance and bigotry. My tendency would be to splutter indignantly and try to reason seriously with people like that, which never convinces them and just gives them a credibility that they really don't have.

But to poke fun at them like this, to get at the soft underbelly of homophobia, that is magic. After all, it's probably fear that is at the root of homophobia (says she, using a word whose Greek origins mean 'fear'). But big, strong, manly men, those who proudly declare themselves homophobic for example, don't like to admit to fear. What to do?

I love it. There they are, being proud and self-righteous and telling themselves what 'real' men they are, and George exposes them as foolish and fearful and pathetic.

Onya, George. Exceedingly nice one.

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» Homophobes fear themselves. Posted by: brotherjonah
Prince
Posted by: davy on Feb 24, 2007 4:13 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
BRILLIANT

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you fakeleftists care about gays and minorities, but not about healthcare and taxes
Posted by: emmanuel_goldstein_fights_fake_lefties on Feb 24, 2007 5:20 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
cuz that is what the rich folks WANT you to care about. And like good little primates, you do exactly what they say to do. THe TV and the radio and the newspapers and the magazines TOLD you what to do.

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» Good List DBoy, May I Add? Posted by: MarcGarvey
» RE: Posted by: CatDad
» Should gays not care about healthcare and taxes? Posted by: karma_ran_over_dogma
» Same old song Posted by: brunowe
» Heathcare? Posted by: CatDad
Humor at Warpspeed!
Posted by: kww355 on Feb 24, 2007 6:09 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Let me add my congratulations to the list. George Takei is totally brilliant ~ wish he got more work. This response just shows Hardaway for the pathetic fool he is.

Bravo, George !!! Thanks for a great response!

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Nice work, and he gets it!
Posted by: SayBlade on Feb 24, 2007 7:03 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
George Takei's wit and delivery style makes me think of Canadian comedians. If he's not getting work stateside, I am sure he could go to Canada and make a career for himself there as many other American entertainers have done!

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Bravo!
Posted by: nosylae on Feb 24, 2007 7:35 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Brilliant! As a trekkie, I've appreciated George for years. This just adds to the list. See you in Vegas at the next Con!

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Yay Takei
Posted by: Vaene on Feb 24, 2007 8:16 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Well I guess Hardaway has got the right to hate who he hates, and to say so. And other people have the right to not associate their products with him, and to call him an idiot, and make fun of him. I actually think this whole situation is positive; shows our system of free speech actually works on both sides of an issue.

What is refreshing is the Hardaway actually was honest, as opposed to these cowards who pay lip service to tolerence and compassion and then pass laws discriminating against gays. I guess I would rather know if someone hates my guts up front rather than pretending to be my friend.

Oh, and as a "Manly Man" who likes to hunt, play sports, watch sports, build things, repair things, hold open the door for ladies, drink beer, and chase after women, I have to say that being a "Manly Man" does not make you a homophobe. I think Homosexuals are great personally, and like every citizen of the US (or Everyone I guess) are endowed with the inalienable right of pursuit of happiness. I don't want to have sex with men but if others guys do, great! Less competition for me from guys who are on average wealthier, and better dressed!

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» RE: Yay Takei: Also gays Posted by: SamFox
ROTFLMAO
Posted by: QuestionAuthority on Feb 24, 2007 8:53 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Good for you, George! I hope Hardaway is truly humiliated for his comment. Maybe if enough people stand up to hatred in that way (humor), it will become less common!!

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Pyrrhos
Posted by: Pyrrhos on Feb 24, 2007 9:41 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
......Cool......

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Homophobia bad, but so is racial objectification!
Posted by: kush on Feb 24, 2007 9:51 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
It goes without saying (or saying very loudly) that what the basketball player said about gay folks is wrong, stupid, and generally f****d up! But why must the response itself be so filled with a satire that references stereotypical images ("Chocolate," "Big") of the black male sexual presence. And, where were Mr. Takei's coquettish promises when the white male newscasters, athletes, politicians, etc. made their many homophobic statements, policies, and actions. The spectacle of sports (in this country and others) is a primary manifestation of the patriarchal hegemony that still rules our dying world. We need to risk attacking that hegemony with more accurate aim. Focusing on yet another black man as the source of the "civilized" world's ills is not the way through our troubles.

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» The patriarchal what? Posted by: MartianBachelor
» RE: The patriarchal what? Posted by: MyLeftFoot
To Kush: IMO, You´re an Obsessed Dumbass
Posted by: ZPaul on Feb 24, 2007 11:27 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
"...why must the response itself be so filled with a satire that references stereotypical images ("Chocolate," "Big") of the black male sexual presence."

WhyTF can´t he say words like "Chocolate", or "Big"? IMO, You´re an obsessed dumbass. There´s NO way that can be construed as racist, unless you´re obsessed and looking for something to accuse the guy.

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Civildisobedient
Posted by: civildisobedient on Feb 24, 2007 1:36 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Seems to me Mr. Takei took on two stereotypes and illuminated the immorality of both with class and courage. Way to go, Sulu!

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Thank You, Mr Takei!!!
Posted by: rg on Feb 24, 2007 3:50 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
To generations of Trekkie fans your excellent credentials are etched in stone, while Mr Hardaway will in time fade into oblivion.
I'll bet that to many gay men & women your satirical jab at this athlete could not be more welcome.
Thanks for charting a new course, Mr Sulu!

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that is just awesome
Posted by: nor cal surfer on Feb 24, 2007 7:18 PM   
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great work, george! way to go.

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Excellent comeback!
Posted by: nise52 on Feb 24, 2007 7:37 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
This is perfect...

I'm a married heterosexual female who is opposed to homophobic, bigoted comments about gays and I am firmly FOR gay marriage!

And I VOTE.

Take that! ...you so-called "Fundamentalists"!

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He's got a lil' Captain in 'im
Posted by: DaBear on Feb 24, 2007 8:07 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Fine work Captn Sulu!

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spam spam spam spam
Posted by: brotherjonah on Feb 25, 2007 1:29 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
spam spam spam spam.

I put a report in about it.

I know a spambot has to make a living just like a real person does, but hey, enough is enough.

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What is this?
Posted by: Bbear41 on Feb 26, 2007 8:38 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
A form of advertising? Does not belong here!

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THAT made me laugh, may the great bird of the galaxy bless George
Posted by: Ghoulman on Feb 25, 2007 12:31 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
... that was even funnier than Spock's Brain.

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sdsadssda
Posted by: fifthworld on Feb 25, 2007 4:37 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Thanks for those links - they've been very helpful.

Your medicine is ready at the desk.

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I didn't know...
Posted by: motorchickd on Feb 26, 2007 5:47 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I didn't know you were gay George, but that's fine. I don't care what kind of sex you have in your bedroom, it doesn't impact my marriage one bit and I want to say you sure do have a sence of humor! I laughed out loud. Totally funny!

I hope to see you on TV or the big screen again! All I ever knew of you was Star Trek, but I've watched over and over and over. Live long and prosper to you! -Heartland Star Trek lover.

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Homophobia = Fascism
Posted by: boing007 on Feb 26, 2007 10:25 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
All of you who think that homophobia is fascist should go to this website and read about homosexuality and the Nazi Party working hand and hand:
http://www.leaderu.com/jhs/lively.html

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Gay men trying to have sex with unwilling partners
Posted by: boing007 on Feb 26, 2007 10:31 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
hilarious, but...
I think that a lot of homophobes actually are worried that gay people will sneak up on them and have sex with them when they aren't paying attention, as ridiculous as that sounds...

Speak for yourself, it happened to me one time and I didn't like it. Ever hear of attempted rape? It doesn't just happen between men and women.

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Homophobia verses heterophobia...Class! A new word.
Posted by: SamFox on Feb 27, 2007 1:59 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Homophobe. Anyone who feels homosexuality is wrong, bad or evil, not to mention an un-natural perversion of nature, are branded with the word.

I do not understand why those who say homosexuality is wrong & sinful are supposed to be phobic. Opposing something does not default to fear of it. Or to hate.
At 15 a homo. tried to molest me. I did not & am not full of fear & loathing hate toward homosexuals. I do fear FOR them & their souls as a Christian who cares for the well being of all people. I was a lust filled hetero. sinner...

Another phobia, heterophobia, can apply to deniers of the sex they are born with. This is a complicated issue & individual situations are are varied & difficult. My lust for women was difficult to over come. In fairness & equal name calling I think those in denial of what they were born with are heterophobes! Especially those wanting an artificial sex change. Changing a person's sex orientation to the opposite of what they were born with suggests that heterohobia (fear of one's natural gender) is strong in them. So powerful the emotion they desire a doctor's knife to cut out what they fear, the sex they were born with. A blade to one's genitals is a radical, heterophobic approach!

The homosexual community by & large is infused with AIDS, other STDs & negative consequences resulting in an over all shorter life span. So I wonder why more homosexuals are not them selves homophobic. After all, the life style itself has harmed & killed more of them than the "persecution" they claim is so rampant.

When lust for sex has jumps a person it is very difficult to shake. Giving in seems the only option as emotions, feelings, thoughts, desires & so on are so very strong. I know. I had lust on me. It was for women & just as bad as any uncontrolled sex driven feelings, straight or gay. Overcoming one's feelings can be very difficult. "I feel like it therefor I am it" & "I feel like it so I should do it" often lead to bad results. Feelings, thoughts & emotions can be deceptive...

I offer no condemnation for gays or other sexual deviation. There is no easy answer. But there is an answer, Jesus Christ. Yeah, I know, you don't wanna hear it. But He brought me through my battle with lust...it was not easy but I made it, with His help. A victory worth the battle. The path of least resistance was very tempting. I could have given in to my feelings & gone with my lust. But I knew in my deepest heart it was wrong & that I would be risking untold #'s of STDs.

You must make your own choice. I promote the One that leads to life, Jesus. I chose to deny my lust in spite of strong feelings & thoughts of having sex with shapely gals I happened to see. I chose the more difficult path that in the long term has proven a wise choice. All feelings are not OK to act on just because we have them. Sometimes feelings lead to bad things. If you really feel you want to kill someone you must choose to deny the feeling in light of consequences to the object of the feeling & to ones self. I had the feeling once that I wanted to kill. Not a homosexual, by the way. My supervisor demoted me in a cost saving move where I worked. Man, that was a tough one...my feelings were very strong...I had to battle them for 2 or 3 months, especially at work... It was like some power or force jumped on me & filled me with all kinds of thoughts & feelings, the 1st step to temptation's trap. I had never thought seriously before of killing anyone. I denied & battled in my heart against thoughts & feelings & by God's grace did not act on them. I chose to control my feelings & what came into my mind using the Bible for my guide rather than let the temptation control me. Another victory worth the fight.

SamFox

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Cuba Moving Ahead of America on Gay Rights
Posted by: thirdmg on Feb 28, 2007 8:49 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Article in USA Today:

When it comes to gay rights, is Cuba inching ahead of USA?

"While a country that successive U.S. governments have called a totalitarian state is moving toward expanding the rights of gays and lesbians, the president of the United States — the world's leading democracy — wants to restrict their rights."

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tramadol
Posted by: vados on Mar 13, 2007 12:07 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
pharma
Posted by: vados on Mar 13, 2007 12:08 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]