News James Randi coming out of the closet. - Page 2

Fritz88 · 03-21-2010, 03:13 PM

Written by James Randi
Sunday, 21 March 2010 12:37

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.

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 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.

**Slainte** · 03-21-2010, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dylan

WTF has this to do with the subject at hand?

Fritz88 · 03-21-2010, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slainte

WTF has this to do with the subject at hand?

Randi will die of AIDS because he engaged in butt sex.

**Slainte** · 03-21-2010, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fritz88

Randi will die of AIDS because he engaged in butt sex.

Tolstoy died of AIDS?

|Zach| · 03-21-2010, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fritz88

Randi will die of AIDS because he engaged in butt sex.

What?

splatbass · 03-21-2010, 04:37 PM

I've been a fan of Randi since the 80s when he exposed Peter Popoff as a fraud on the Tonight Show.

I don't care about his sexuality.

ClevelandBronco · 03-21-2010, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by splatbass

I've been a fan of Randi since the 80s when he exposed Peter Popoff as a fraud on the Tonight Show.

I don't care about his sexuality.

Peter Popoff kinda sounds like it is someone's sexuality.

**Gonzo** · 03-21-2010, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fritz88

Let me take a guess. He is using his rectum?

That was the jist of the joke, I suppose, yes. He's utilizing his rectum to perform a magic trick.
Posted via Mobile Device

FAX · 03-21-2010, 04:48 PM

Randi has burst my bubble more times than I can count. Personally, I think his work in the paranormal area is valuable. I don't like the way he gives away simple table magic secrets, though.

I imagine that he's come out because he needs a partner and can't find one.

Undoubtedly, some offended magician or witch has put a "Horny Spell" on his ass.

FAX

ClevelandBronco · 03-21-2010, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FAX

...I imagine that he's come out because he needs a partner and can't find one.

Undoubtedly, some offended magician or witch has put a "Horny Spell" on his ass.

FAX

Yeah. Wait a damn minute. What is an 81-year-old man doing with sexuality in the first place?

FAX · 03-21-2010, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ClevelandBronco

Yeah. Wait a damn minute. What is an 81-year-old man doing with sexuality in the first place?

I don't really know. We should probably ask Mr. Slainte.

FAX

Mr. Laz · 03-21-2010, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silock

Who?

this

redsurfer11 · 03-21-2010, 05:04 PM

The Amazing Randi used to drive around my neighborhood in a blue van. The van said Amazing Randi on the side. He had a magic shop one town away. Never met him, but you'd see him driving every day.

patteeu · 03-21-2010, 05:05 PM

Amazing

splatbass · 03-21-2010, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ClevelandBronco

Yeah. Wait a damn minute. What is an 81-year-old man doing with sexuality in the first place?

My guess would be Viagra.

ClevelandBronco · 03-21-2010, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redsurfer11

The Amazing Randi used to drive around my neighborhood in a blue van. The van said Amazing Randi on the side. He had a magic shop one town away. Never met him, but you'd see him driving every day.

Really? Or was it just that you expected to see him driving and you wanted to see him driving so you convinced yourself that he was driving?

03-21-2010, 03:13 PM
Fritz88 Custom User Title Join Date: Nov 2008 Casino cash: $8845943	James Randi coming out of the closet. Written by James Randi Sunday, 21 March 2010 12:37 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. 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 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.
Posts: 12,706

03-21-2010, 04:37 PM	#20
splatbass MVP Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Honolulu, HI Casino cash: $6680560	I've been a fan of Randi since the 80s when he exposed Peter Popoff as a fraud on the Tonight Show. I don't care about his sexuality.
Posts: 10,063

03-21-2010, 04:48 PM	#23
FAX testing ... 1, 2, 3 Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Tennessee Casino cash: $6753759	Randi has burst my bubble more times than I can count. Personally, I think his work in the paranormal area is valuable. I don't like the way he gives away simple table magic secrets, though. I imagine that he's come out because he needs a partner and can't find one. Undoubtedly, some offended magician or witch has put a "Horny Spell" on his ass. FAX
Posts: 44,492

03-21-2010, 05:04 PM	#27
redsurfer11 Veteran Join Date: Oct 2000 Casino cash: $10004900	The Amazing Randi used to drive around my neighborhood in a blue van. The van said Amazing Randi on the side. He had a magic shop one town away. Never met him, but you'd see him driving every day.
Posts: 2,581

03-21-2010, 05:05 PM	#28
patteeu The 23rd Pillar Join Date: Sep 2002 Casino cash: $10019237	Amazing __________________ “Boy, you all want power. God, I hope you never get it.” - Lindsay Graham
Posts: 110,871