SAN FRANCISCO - Horizons Foundation today announced that actor George Takei will receive the Visionary Award at its gala celebration on Saturday, October 1, 2011. Best known for his role as Mr. Sulu on Star Trek, Mr. Takei has been deeply involved in civic affairs throughout his life, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights, politics, and Japan-United States relations. While he had been out for years, Mr. Takei spoke publicly about being gay in 2005 after then-Governor Schwarzenegger vetoed a marriage equality bill in California. He and his long-time partner Brad Altman married in 2008.

"Throughout his life, George Takei has come face to face with marginalization - as a child living in an internment camp for Japanese-Americans, as an Asian-American actor in Hollywood, and as an out gay man," said Roger Doughty, Horizons Foundation's Executive Director. "At every turn, he put his energy into finding positive solutions, whether running for office or setting out on his Equality Trek, and has done so with humor and grace. Horizons is thrilled to honor him with our Visionary Award."

The evening will also recognize Google with the Cornerstone Award for its outstanding work on behalf of the LGBT community and its LGBT employees. Recent examples include adding benefits to put their LGBT employees on equal footing with their straight coworkers, participating in the It Gets Better project, giving in-kind and financial support to a range of LGBT nonprofits, and publicly opposing Proposition 8. "Google is one of the companies setting the standard for corporate responsibility when it comes to the LGBT community," said Doughty.

Following the dinner, attendees will enjoy a decadent dessert buffet and casino-themed after-party in the legendary Tonga Room. Supporters will also have a chance to bid on a range of donated items that include vacations, fine dining, wine, and more. Leading up to the event, Horizons will also host an online auction, which opens September 15.

Horizons Foundation's gala will take place on Saturday, October 1, at the Fairmont San Francisco, 950 Mason Street in San Francisco, CA. Information on purchasing tickets (dinner/casino party or casino party-only) and other details about the gala and its sponsors can be found at www.horizonsfoundation.org/gala or by calling 415.398.2333 x115.

Founded in 1980, Horizons was the world's first community foundation focused exclusively on LGBT issues. Since the beginning, Horizons has provided nearly $22 million in financial support to community organizations and causes in areas ranging from youth to elders, from LGBT arts and culture to civil rights advocacy. Horizons' grantmaking is guided by over 30 years of expertise and deeply informed by direct community participation. For more information, visit www.horizonsfoundation.org or call 415.398.2333.