“Star Trek” star George Takei is ready to “live long and prosper” with his partner of 21 years.

Takei will marry 54-year-old Brad Altman on September 14th in Los Angeles.

The 71-year-old actor, known for his role as Sulu on the “Star Trek” sci-fi TV series, was the first to pay $70 for a marriage license in West Hollywood early Tuesday. The marriage license is good for 90 days.

Takei was jubilant, saying “it’s going to be the only day like this in our lives and it is the only day like this in the history of America.”

He told reporters and a swelling crowd outside the West Hollywood city auditorium “may equality live long and prosper.”

The California Supreme Court has legalized same-sex marriage.

Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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MTV’s Tila Tequila, who rose to reality star fame as a bisexual girl looking for love, says she is responsible for the historic legalization of gay marriage in California.

The “Shot At Love” star believes her reality show has influenced the sweeping changes about to take affect throughout the nation’s most populous state.

“It is because of me. I definitely think [my show] has helped the movement,” Tila told Us Weekly at the Hollywood premiere of “The Love Guru” on Wednesday.

“A Shot At Love” pits men and women vying for Tila’s affection against each other in a series of challenges designed to help Tila find the man or woman of her dreams.

“Before it came out, everyone was still a little apprehensive about [same sex relationships],” she said. “Then they realized, ‘Wow, everyone is really into this stuff, and it is fine.’ The next thing you know, [gay marriage] is legal.”

In addition to reportedly writing a self-help book, Tila, who told the mag she won’t fall in love with a man or a woman, has her sights set on something bigger– a whole continent!

“I am going to Africa,” Tila said. “I think maybe I will fall in love in Africa.”

Copyright 2008 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.