March 22, 2010

James Randi Comes Out

How To Say It?

Written by James Randi

Well, here goes. I really resent the term, but I use it because it’s recognized and accepted.

I’m gay.

From some seventy years of personal experience, I can tell you that there’s not much “gay” about being homosexual. For the first twenty years of my life, I had to live in the shadows, in a culture that was — at least outwardly — totally hostile to any hint of that variation of life-style. At no time did I choose to adopt any protective coloration, though; my cultivation of an abundant beard was not at all a deception, but part of my costume as a conjuror.

Gradually, the general attitude that I’d perceived around me began to change, and presently I find that there has emerged a distinctly healthy acceptance of different social styles of living — except, of course, in cultures that live in constant and abject fear of divine retribution for infractions found in the various Holy Books… In another two decades, I’m confident that young people will find themselves in a vastly improved atmosphere of acceptance.

Before publishing this statement, I chose to privately notify a number of my closest friends and colleagues — none of whom, I’m sure, have been at all surprised at this “coming out.” I’m prepared to receive the inevitable barrage of jeers and insults from the “grubbies” out there who will jump to their keyboards in glee to notify others of their kind about this statement, which to them will be yet further proof of the perfidy of the rationalist mode of life that I have chosen. Those titters of joy will be unheard over the murmur of acceptance that I confidently expect from my friends.

Full Story Here

7 comments:

Unknown said...

i posted this too (well from wil wheaton's blog). i have always admired james. he is funny, bright, ornery and that has nothing to do with his sexuality. i've loved his debunking since i can remember. i'm just sorry he couldn't have lived a life which was more free (earlier)

Booksteve said...

I can honestly say that I have never given the slightest thought to Randi's sexuality nor do I care being a slight curiosity now that I know. I have admired him for many years (even before he once quoted me on his site!). One of the SANEST men in our world today I believe. So he's gay. Okay. Now let's talk about something important.

Kirk said...

Let's see now if Uri Geller comes out as a fraud.

Donna Lethal said...

I know, I never even thought about it before, but I can't imagine having to hide the way I live for decades. "Gay" indeed. Very well put.

Lemmy Caution said...

Strange....I was watching an old Alice Cooper concert today and James Randi was in it. Came out on stage dressed as a dentist and drilled Alice's mouth!

Kirk said...

Randi is the guy who divised Cooper's famouse guillotine bit.

Lemmy Caution said...

I did not know that. Very cool.