I had a really unusual, remarkably unusual father because he, in our family, was the one that suffered the most. He was the one that explained American democracy to me. He said, 'Our democracy is a people's democracy and it can be as great as people can be, and it can be great... but we are also fallible human beings.'

Well, you know, I do think in the larger span of things, I owe it all to Star Trek, because Star Trek has given me this pop icon status if you will, and one of the gifts have been this megaphone I have which amplifies my voice and I can reach people. And I do think the movement for equality for LGBT Americans is in the same context of all of the great American movements, you know, the basic fundamental ideals of this country of justice and equality.

As an Asian American, I\'m aware of how stereotypes can be very destructive. We\'ve been defined by the drag queens. And yes, they exist. But we\'ve been defined as irresponsible, flamboyant, loud, and garish. I think what we need to do - and what we haven\'t done as aggressively as we should have - is to depict the vast diversity of the GLBT community.

I am emboldened, not cowed, by the words and actions of Trump and his circle. I believe many others are as well. Together we will stand in opposition. I\'m not going anywhere, and I won\'t be silenced.