James Randi has come out of the closet

[polomint38]

James Randi has "come out" as homosexual (http://www.forgoodreason.org/james_randi_a_skeptic_comes_out_at_81), I for one wish him all the best and hope the morons don't give him to much stick.

It is a shame that our society makes it so hard for people to be themselves.

That was it I don't seem to actually have any questions. Any comments?

[chaggle]

James Randi has "come out" as homosexual (http://www.forgoodreason.org/james_randi_a_skeptic_comes_out_at_81), I for one wish him all the best and hope the morons don't give him to much stick.

It is a shame that our society makes it so hard for people to be themselves.

That was it I don't seem to actually have any questions. Any comments?

No. Makes no difference to me. Sad that he got to 81 before he came out.

[brianp]

Such revelations don't seem to harm celebs in the UK - look at Stephen Fry and Graham Norton - and why should they? I don't know if it will be the same in the good old USA, but Fry was accepted there, so I'm hopeful this won't affect Randi's standing.

[Graham Lappin]

I can honestly say that it makes no difference to me if he came out as homosexual or heterosexual. He has done great things for skepticism and that's what counts.

[Drop Bear]

James Randi has "come out" as homosexual (http://www.forgoodreason.org/james_randi_a_skeptic_comes_out_at_81), I for one wish him all the best and hope the morons don't give him to much stick.

It is a shame that our society makes it so hard for people to be themselves.

That was it I don't seem to actually have any questions. Any comments?


The poor man. How said he felt unable to do so before now. The homophobic lunar religious right will pillory him.

Perhaps he's now old enough and wise enough not to give flying flunggle. I hope so.

[Hayley]

I think it's great that he has chosen to come out, it's like a big FU to those critics of his who will use it against him.

[smudge]

The sooner the human race gets to the point where sexuality is no longer news or worthy of comment the better....

[Julia]

For quite a few years now Randi has been the victim of a smear campaign alleging that he's a child molestor. I just hope that the idiots who will no doubt use his coming out against him won't confuse homosexuality and pedophilia.

[Matt]

James Randi being gay is not a big deal. I care to know very little about his private life. That one of the most rambunctious, independent minded and frankly confrontational men around felt the need to deny his nature for so many years is however a tragedy. It highlights the environment of prejudice that prevailed for so many decades. That's the big deal here. We need to tie up the last few loose ends in the rapid change of attitudes that we've seen recently and ensure that we never go back to those dark dark days.

[Julia]

I've just had a look at the comments over on JREF. Dozens of supportive messages, one loony Christofascist and a couple of brain-dead trolls!

[polomint38]

I've just had a look at the comments over on JREF. Dozens of supportive messages, one loony Christofascist and a couple of brain-dead trolls!

I'm suprised the JREF hasn't had more numpties unloading their bile. >:D

[asthmatic camel]

Was James Randi ever actually in the closet?

[seren]

No, it was all done with mirrors!

[Floppit]

It's things like this that leave me feeling that slowly, ever so slowly, society is moving in the right direction. Good on him, it can't be easy at that age, not just saying he's gay but saying he hid it. It's such a shame he ever felt he had to.

[Julia]

It was interesting that he mentioned that brilliant film about Harvey Milk as an influence on his decision to come out. I don't turn on the waterworks at the drop of a hat, but I watched it on DVD a couple of months ago and it had me in tears at the end.

[asthmatic camel]

I'm surprised that anyone's surprised. Randi's homosexuality has been an open secret for years.

[Julia]

An open secret is one thing, a public statement is another. The fact that Benjamin Brittain and Peter Pears were a gay couple was an open secret for decades, but even people who actually knew them denied it until their letters were published posthumously.

[smudge]

I'm surprised that anyone's surprised. Randi's homosexuality has been an open secret for years.

I don't think anyone here has expressed surprise...? So don't be surprised...because no-one IS!
In fact it's heartening that no-one here seems to care in the least!

Group hug??!! :cheesy:

[asthmatic camel]

I don't think anyone here has expressed surprise...? So don't be surprised...because no-one IS!
In fact it's heartening that no-one here seems to care in the least!

Group hug??!! :cheesy:

OK, but strictly no tongues!

The trouble is that plenty of people with far more power and influence than anybody here do give a s*** about homosexuality, and will attempt to use the issue to smear anyone who doesn't.

God hates fags, you know.

[Croydon Bob]

OK, but strictly no tongues!

With a smoker? Bleugh. No chance of tongues even if you paid more than Polomint does.


God hates fags, you know.

You admit that even God hates smokers. And you think there is some question of the possibility of tongues? :cheesy:

[smudge]

OK, but strictly no tongues!

The trouble is that plenty of people with far more power and influence than anybody here do give a s*** about homosexuality, and will attempt to use the issue to smear anyone who doesn't.

God hates fags, you know.

Yes. But I get the feeling we are winning this one. And thats nice! :smiley:

[asthmatic camel]

I think we have a long way to go, smudge. There are still plenty of countries which hand down long jail terms or even the death penalty for the "crime" of being gay.

[smudge]

I think we have a long way to go, smudge. There are still plenty of countries which hand down long jail terms or even the death penalty for the "crime" of being gay.

Sure, totally agreed.
But things have improved greatly in the UK at least. My feeling is that things are moving in the right direction. That, at least, should be noted and celebrated!

As I said. Group hug (strictly no tongues!) :cheesy: