George Takei, the openly gay actor who was part of the original Star Trek TV series, is teaming with another actor, Patty Duke, to get U.S. residents to "boldly go" to the Social Security website. However, there are questions as to why the out Takei would promote a benefit denied to Takei and his husband.
The Social Security website allows baby boomers and other people to apply for Medicare,retirement and disability. They also can make change their address or personal information, as well set up direct deposit.
"Social Security has a great website and the top-rated online services in the U.S.," wrote Michael J. Astrue, commissioner of social security, in a statement.
The Social Security administration approached Takei to voluntarily lend his celebrity power to this public service announcement. "I am a publicly and socially engaged person. I was more than happy to join in with Patty," Takei told Windy City Times exclusively.
In 2005, Takei revealed to Frontiers magazine that he was gay and had been in a 18-year relationship with boyfriend Brad Altman. In 2008, Takei married Altman in West Hollywood before the ability to get married in California was nullified. Several states, including Illinois, have passed civil -union measures that allow same- and opposite-sex couples to have the same rights under state law that married straight couples receive, such as medical decision-making and the right to sue for wrongful death.
However, same-sex couples who are legally married are denied spousal Social Security benefits because the federal government does not acknowledge their marriage. It is no surprise then, that some in the LGBT community might find it a bit confusing that a public figure such as Takei would help endorse an administration like Social Security, which is run by the federal government.
Chicago attorney Jill Metz of Jill Metz and Associateswho works in a variety of areas, including family lawtold Windy City Times, "It is ironic [ referring to Takei's recent involvement with the Social Security administration ] , but I have more of a problem with legislators who advocate for continued discriminations [ of government programs like Social Security ] ."
When asked about the possible confusion involved in helping the organization, Takei told Windy City Times, "Why should it be confusing? I find our democracy to not be perfect. I want to make it better, so I choose to participate in the process. Do I not vote? Do I not volunteer in the electoral campaign? No!
"You get actively engaged in the process to make our democracy better and the same with Social Security. I'm talking about a better, fairer Social Securitythat's why I choose to participate in it."
The Social Security administration hopes to reach millions with lines such as "It's so easy even Kirk [ Star Trek's captain ] could do it."