Arts & Entertainment
George Takei compares ‘zero tolerance’ immigration policy to Japanese internment camps
The ‘Star Trek’ actor says at least he had his family during WWII


George Takei (Screenshot via YouTube)
George Takei has compared the separation of migrant families at the U.S.-Mexico border to his time in Japanese internment camps during World War II.
Time reports that under the Trump Administration’s “zero tolerance” immigration policy nearly 2,000 children were separated from their parents between April and May. The Associated Press also reports that babies and young migrant children are being held in three “tender age” shelters with an additional shelter set to open in Houston.
In an op-ed for Foreign Policy, Takei recalls the frightening time he spent in Japanese internment camps as a child. The comparison tips in favor of the camps because as Takei points out he was not separated from his family.
“At least during the internment, when I was just 5 years old, I was not taken from my parents,” the “Star Trek” star writes. “We were not pulled screaming from our mothers’ arms. We were not left to change the diapers of younger children by ourselves.”
Takei’s essay recalls being forced to live in a horse stall for several weeks and remembers a guard pointing guns at his family. However, he found strength and solace in his family’s support.
“At least during the internment, we remained a family, and I credit that alone for keeping the scars of our unjust imprisonment from deepening on my soul,” he continued. “I cannot for a moment imagine what my childhood would have been like had I been thrown into a camp without my parents. That this is happening today fills me with both rage and grief: rage toward a failed political leadership who appear to have lost even their most basic humanity, and a profound grief for the families affected.”
Takei concluded the op-ed calling on people to take action against the policy.
“Unless we act now, we will have failed to learn at all from our past mistakes. Once again, we are flinging ourselves into a world of camps and fences and racist imagery — and lies just big enough to stick,” Takei writes.
Takei’s essay echoes similar thoughts from former First Lady Laura Bush who penned a column for the Washington Post writing of the immigration policy, “These images are eerily reminiscent of the internment camps for U.S. citizens and noncitizens of Japanese descent during World War II, now considered to have been one of the most shameful episodes in U.S. history.”

2025 D.C. Trans Pride was held at Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library on Saturday, May 17. The day was filled with panel discussions, art, social events, speakers, a resource fair and the Engendered Spirit Awards. Awardees included Lyra McMillan, Pip Baitinger, Steph Niaupari and Hayden Gise. The keynote address was delivered by athlete and advocate Schuyler Bailar.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)











a&e features
Looking back at 50 years of Pride in D.C
Washington Blade’s unique archives chronicle highs, lows of our movement

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of LGBTQ Pride in Washington, D.C., the Washington Blade team combed our archives and put together a glossy magazine showcasing five decades of celebrations in the city. Below is a sampling of images from the magazine but be sure to find a print copy starting this week.

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The magazine represents more than 50 years of hard work by countless reporters, editors, advertising sales reps, photographers, and other media professionals who have brought you the Washington Blade since 1969.
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The fourth annual Equality Prince William Pride was held at the Harris Pavilion in Manassas, Va. on Saturday, May 17.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)





















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