George Takei: 'NY gay marriage bill a victory'

George Takei has lauded the passing of New York's Marriage Equality Act as a major victory in the struggle for human rights.

The state bill, which was signed into law by New York governor Andrew Cuomo last week, will allow gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender couples to tie the knot from this month.

Takei married his own longtime partner Brad Altman in California in 2008, shortly before gay marriage was banned in the state with the passing of Proposition 8.

The Star Trek actor expressed hope that New York's Marriage Equality Act will help usher in a wave of similar statutes across the US.

Takei told HLN: "[Brad and I] were in Tulsa, Oklahoma doing a Star Trek convention and when we got the word of the breaking news in New York [that] marriage equality is legal, we just let out a great big shout that I'm sure could have been heard in New York."

The Larry Crowne star went on to say: "We know that the good waves coming from New York [are] going to make a profound influence on our situation here in California… I am confidant that Proposition 8 will be gone before the end of the year and marriage equality will be back in California."

Takei was one of many celebrities to condemn Tracy Morgan for making anti-gay remarks during a recent stand-up comedy show in Nashville.

Larry Crowne is now playing in US and UK cinemas.

Watch George Takei discuss the Marriage Equality Act below:



Watch Larry Crowne star Tom Hanks discuss the film with Digital Spy: