Star Trek: The Original Series (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
For me and millions of Star Trek fans around the world, today is a special day – the birth of Trek creator Gene Roddenberry. His imagination and humanity created the most endearing and enduring franchise in the history of popular culture. Star Trek has thrived for over 45 years, 5 television series, 11 feature films (with a 12th on the way next spring), conventions, and merchandise of all manner. Through his vision, I learned to not just timidly go but to boldly go where no one has gone before. He battled racism, sexism, and all forms of intolerance and provided an example of what humanity can achieve when we move past our prejudices and embrace the future. We are equal – black, white, mixed, alien, cut, and uncut in the Star Trek universe; we are judged on our merits, not our DNA. Gene’s overall message was simple – hope – it will not always be this way – it will get better. He also created my childhood idol – James Tiberius Kirk, Captain of the USS Enterprise. Captain Kirk embodied all the traits needed for success in life – a killer ass, a refusal to surrender even with the bleakest of odds, and he was extremely horny. Captain Kirk got laid in one out of every three episodes of the Original Series and he still kept his ship and his crew out of danger. His most memorable romance was with Joan Collins in the series’ most celebrated episode – ‘The City on the Edge of Forever’. Through the message of Star Trek, I learned to embrace diversity – black, white, Asian, Latino – men of every conceivable race, color, and religion have beamed into my transporter room. And when First Contact is made with Vulcan, I am going to pon farr with one of our pointy eared celestial neighbors. Captain Kirk also illustrated that when the odds are against you, gamble, roll the dice, and let them fly high – there is no better motto for life, sex, or imagination. Thank you Gene Roddenberry. I have been and always shall be in your debt.
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