James Randi, the 81-year-old Canadian illusionist (or magician, if you prefer the term), is a professional cynic in matters of the paranormal, occult, and institutionalized religion, is also a homosexual, he just announced.
If you’re familiar with Randi’s writings, you’ll know that he can be hysterical in the same sentence as he’s being decisive. His coming out statement is no different: “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. … 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.’ … This declaration of mine was prompted just last week by seeing an excellent film — starring Sean Penn — that told the story of politician Harvey Milk, the first openly gay man to be elected to public office in California. I’m in excellent company: Barney Frank, Oscar Wilde, Stephen Fry, Ellen DeGeneris, Rachel Maddow, are just a few of those who were in my thoughts as I pressed the key that placed this on Swift and before the whole world. I should apologize for having used Swift [his blog] as the venue to publish this note, an item that is hardly the focus of what we promote and publish here, but I chose the single most public asset I have to make this statement. It’s from here that I have attacked irrationality, stupidity, and irresponsibility, and it is my broadest platform. Here is where I have chosen to stand and fight. And I think that I have already won this battle by simply publishing this statement.”
(Thanks, Thomas!)
Robert
Coolest man in the world somehow became cooler.
J.P.
I agree with Robert! Wonderful!
Ernesto66
Wow, I would never ever have thought so, but I’m glad to have him on our side and happy he decided to let everyone know.
Oh-So-Very
OMG! He’s like a gay Gandalf… oh wait.
Kitty boots
Here, but for the grace of God and PR reps, goes Sean Hayes.
terrwill
Gives a whole new meaning to: “And now for my next trick……… : p
mk
@Kitty boots: Never in his wildest dreams could Sean Hayes be in any way a fraction as brilliant and awesome as champion of rationalism and science James Randi.
David Ehrenstein
@terrwill: RIM SHOT!
Chris
This guy is awesome.
Ogre Magi
Bravo to him!
Jadis
Keep on busting the frauds, James! You’re an inspiration to us all.
Drew
It must suck to come out that late in life, all the good ass isn’t so good anymore.. still though, this guy is hilar, love him
jeffree
I have no idea who is James Randi but if he comes out @ 81, well that is GOOOOOOD. Magic happens !!
@terrwill: please stop being so funny. i was eating icedcream while reading ur comment & well i almost choked 2 death!! dont worry because the parammedics didnt have 2 b called!! i now have 2 clean up messy wall paper & a table & its ALL UR FAULT!!!!!!!
{cyberhug from Jeff)
midnightfarm
its never too late, this guy is uber cool
Tim W
Actually I think alot of people are missing what he said. I think he has been out in his personal life most of his life he just decided to put it out there to the public. I have always liked this guy. I remember a special he had where he debunked these psychics. He knew all their tricks. He took a picture of Ted Bundy to some psychics in Russia who didn’t know who he was. They said they could tell from a picture things about a person. What they look for is cues from the person who brought the pic and Randi sat there stone faced while they said things. They weren’t even close.
He then had Johnny Carson ambush Yuri Geller by recreating a trick that Yuri had done in the past about which container contained water with Johnny bringing them out and Yuri had nothing to do with filling them. They could not do it.
terrwill
David And Jeff: TYVM! : p
REBELComx
@Oh-So-Very: That would be Dumbledore…who could kick Gandalf’s ass.
AlwaysGay
I’m surprised and delighted. He’s done a lot of good debunking myth.
deckman
i like randi. i just wish he could have done this sooner
Andrew B.
He has been an inspiration to me because he is unapologetically an atheist which is rare in this culture. He consistently showed it is that superstitions lead to the cave and reason will allow us to reach the stars.
As a fellow gay atheist I respect him greatly for the work he does to promote reason.