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George Takei kicks off LGBT Pride parade in Columbus

COLUMBUS, Ohio — “Star Trek” actor and gay activist George Takei kicked off a gay pride parade in central Ohio. Takei, who led the parade through Columbus city streets on Saturday, told The Columbus Dispatch that he wants the United States to be a country where everyone enjoys equality.
By Staff Reports
George Takei kicks off LGBT Pride parade in Columbus
George Takei leads the Columbus, Ohio, LGBT Pride parade on June 21, 2014.
George Takei leads the Columbus, Ohio, LGBT Pride parade on June 21, 2014. Twitter

COLUMBUS, Ohio — “Star Trek” actor and gay activist George Takei kicked off a gay pride parade in central Ohio.

Takei, who led the parade through Columbus city streets on Saturday, told The Columbus Dispatch that he wants the United States to be a country where everyone enjoys equality.

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“I’m on a high,” Takei said before leading the parade up High Street to Goodale Park. “Even before I get on my float I have taken selfie after selfie. It’s going to be a fantastic, unbelievable and surreal day.”

Takei and his husband, Brad, boarded the float decorated with his signature catchphrase, “Oh My,”a globe and a replica of the Enterprise (Takei played Hikaru Sulu on the television series).

The parade included music and more than 150 floats with marchers and attendees wearing rainbow-colored clothing.

Some protesters carrying signs with red Xs over gay-rights symbols marched alongside the parade in protest. Some shouted Biblical passages regarding the definition of marriage.

The parade was part of a three-day Columbus pride festival celebrating LGBT pride and support.

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