In happy nuptials news, longtime partners George Takei and Brad Altman finally took their stroll down the aisle together yesterday afternoon and entered the bonds of lawfully wedded bliss. You may recall that George and Brad were among the first California citizens who applied for their marriage licenses when same-sex marriage was legalized in the state back in June. This weekend, the grooms made it official with close friends and family to bless the occasion:

George Takei and his longtime partner, Brad Altman, were wed Sunday evening in a Buddhist ceremony in downtown Los Angeles. “All I can remember is what the priest said,” Takei told PEOPLE after the ceremony. “That this moment will never happen again. It’s something to savor.” Nearly 200 of the couple’s friends attended the event, which began as a kimono-clad koto player plucked out tunes on the ancient Japanese stringed instrument. Afterward, the couple sipped sake from red lacquer cups, then said their vows to one another while standing within a circle of yellow rose petals. A Scottish bagpiper led Takei, 71, and Altman, 54, to the reception on the grounds of the Japanese American National Museum. On the way, the couple, along with their maid of honor and best man (Takei’s former Star Trek co-stars Nichelle Nichols and Walter Koenig) flashed the “live long and prosper” hand sign to photographers and friends. “I was fighting back the tears,” said Nichols, who played Uhura on the Star Trek series. “But they came oozing out anyway. I’m so happy that they’re both able to legally proclaim their commitment to one another after spending the past 21 years together.”

Awww … I love these two together. It’s couples like this that make me so happy that same-sex marriage has finally been legalized in the great State of California. Much love and congrats goes out to the newlyweds … may they live long and happy lives together full of bliss and happiness. Mazel Tov!

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George Takei was on hand at the Orpheaum Theatre in LA to present his friend and co-star Nichelle Nichols with an award last night at the Closing Night Gala of this year’s Outfest Film Festival. George presented Nichelle with the Liberty and Justice Award on behalf of the ACLU … here are a few pics of the Star Trek stars at last night’s affair:

Pioneering actress Nichelle Nichols, who played Lt. Uhura on the original “Star Trek” television series, will receive the Liberty and Justice Award from the ACLU of Southern California Foundation on the closing night of this year’s Outfest 2008: the 26th Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Film Festival on Monday, July 21, 2008. The award, in recognition of Ms. Nichols’ contributions to the fight for civil rights and social justice, will be presented at the closing night gala screening of “Tru Loved” at 8 p.m. at the Orpheum Theatre, 842 South Broadway, in downtown Los Angeles. Ms. Nichols is one of the stars of the film. As Lt. Uhura, Ms. Nichols was the first African American actor to have a recurring, non-stereotypical role on a network television series. The series was broadcast from 1966 to 1969 and before that time, most black actors on television portrayed servants. Even though the role was groundbreaking, she felt it was not substantial and was tempted to quit the show. But Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. convinced her to stay with the series because Lt. Uhura was an important role model for black children. “Ms. Nichols’ trail-blazing role on ‘Star Trek’ allowed her to portray racial equality in our nation’s future, which brought us closer to full equality in our present,” said Ramona Ripston, executive director of the ACLU/SC, in announcing the award. “She also worked to expand opportunities for women at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).” After the series ended, Ms. Nichols worked as volunteer for NASA on a special project to recruit women and minorities to the space program. Among those recruited by that project were Dr. Sally Ride, the first American female astronaut, and U.S. Air Force Col. Guion Bluford Jr., the first African American astronaut. Dr. Mae Jemison, a former astronaut who is African American, said seeing Ms. Nichols on “Star Trek” inspired her to become a physician and astronaut.

I have always held Nichelle Nichols as one of the unsung heroes in Hollywood. She absolutely was a pioneer for helping fight racism just by being herself … for boldly going where no other African American actress went before. Lt. Uhura’s skin color was never an issue on the show, which was significant because Star Trek aired during a time of particular racial unrest. I am very pleased to see that she is being recognized for her efforts … and by her good friend George Takei, who has done his part to help fight sexual orientation discrimination. Much congrats and love goes out to Nichelle Nichols, her Liberty & Justice Award is well deserved.

[Photo credit: Splash News]

Altho same-sex marriage officially became fully legal in the state of California on Monday June 16 at 5:01pm PT, it wasn’t until yesterday that most same-sex couples were allowed to get their marriage licenses … and boy did they, by the hundreds. In West Hollywood, CA, a ribbon-cutting ceremony (attended by Star Trek star George Takei and his longtime partner [soon to be husband] Brad Altman, among others) signaled the start of marriage licenses to be issued there while other counties issued their licenses with much less pomp and circumstance. Here are a few pics of George Takei with Brad Altman as they received their marriage license yesterday:

Star Trek’s George Takei is one step closer to the altar. The 71-year-old actor and longtime partner Brad Altman, 54, received a marriage license from the City of West Hollywood on Tuesday morning, becoming one of the first gay Californians to obtain a license since the state Supreme Court overturned a ban on same-sex marriages last month. “We are first and foremost beyond delighted!” an ecstatic Takei told PEOPLE minutes after he obtained the license. “It’s a landmark day.” Just days after the California ruling, Takei announced his plans to marry Altman, his partner of 21 years. The couple plan to wed on September 14 in front of family and friends, including some of Takei’s Star Trek cast mates. Immediately after obtaining their marriage license, “I started singing ‘One Singular Sensation,’” Takei said. “(Brad) said ‘I love you’ and I looked at him and said, ‘I love you.’” Takei and Altman were the first couple to receive a marriage license from West Hollywood, a city that previously did not issue licenses to gay or straight couples. The wedding will take place at the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles.

While George and Brad are among the first celeb couples to enjoy full marriage equality here in California there were among hundreds of same-sex couples who received marriage licenses yesterday … and many of those hundreds immediately exercised their right to marry and tied the knot. (more…)