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‘Mr. Sulu’ supports gay student activists

Mr. Sulu beamed down to lend support to gay student activists who tried to visit a private Christian university.Actor George Takei, who played the helmsman in "Star Trek," made a surprise appearance Monday after a busload of Soulforce Equality Riders tried to talk about faith and gay rights with students at North Central University.The 33 activists are traveling by bus to 19 U.S. colleges with rel
/ Source: The Associated Press

Mr. Sulu beamed down to lend support to gay student activists who tried to visit a private Christian university.

Actor George Takei, who played the helmsman in "Star Trek," made a surprise appearance Monday after a busload of Soulforce Equality Riders tried to talk about faith and gay rights with students at North Central University.

The 33 activists are traveling by bus to 19 U.S. colleges with religion-based policies opposed to homosexuality.

They were locked out of school buildings at North Central, which is owned and operated by the Assemblies of God.

The activists and supporters were rallying at a nearby park when Takei, who is gay, stopped by.

Takei, 68, praised the activists' "equality trek."

"They have shown courage and character in showing that most people of faith are not extreme reactionaries who oppose equal rights," he said.

Nate Ruch, executive director of university relations at North Central, said the riders declined an offer to have a third party mediate a discussion.

Takei was in town to speak at a gay pride event at the University of Minnesota.