George Takei: Utah 'trying to put toothpaste back in the tube' on same-sex marriage

Actor and LGBT activist George Takei said that Utah's Republican Gov. Gary Herbert is "trying to put toothpaste back in the tube" by trying to reverse the marriages of some 1,300 same-sex couples in his state. According to the Salt Lake Tribune, the "Star Trek" actor was doing a phone interview ahead of his trip to the Sundance Film Festival this month.

"Why is your Governor Gary Herbert so mean?" the 76-year-old actor asked.

The governor and the state's other Republican officials, Takei said, are "consciously bringing harm to 2,600 citizens of Utah" by trying to reverse the December court ruling that made it possible for same-sex couples in the state to marry. An error on the part of the state Attorney General opened a loophole for the couples to marry before the Supreme Court issued a stay this month while the December ruling is appealed.

While the Justice Department has stated that the Utah marriages will be federally recognized, Herbert has made it clear that he does not want those 1,300 marriages recognized by the state.

"That’s mean-spirited," Takei said of Herbert's decision to fight the marriage decision. "He didn’t have to do that. Your governor is trying to put toothpaste back in the tube."

Takei is traveling to Park City, Utah for the Sundance Festival this month. He is appearing to promote a documentary about his life which was directed by filmmaker Jennifer Kroot, who described Takei to the Tribune as "sort of a cross between Mr. Rogers and John Waters."