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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. |
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#31 |
I'm with the banned.
Join Date: Sep 2006
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That's the downside that they never show you in commercials. It's always some middle-age guy with a good haircut that we think ought to be able to get it up if it hadn't been for that tragic rugby accident.
They never show the broken down octogenarian slamming this stuff by the fistful trying to breathe life back into a member that's fittingly as dead as disco.
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"Faith and reason are like two wings on which the human spirit rises to the contemplation of truth ..." – Pope Saint John Paul II |
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#32 |
Banned
Join Date: Mar 2009
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His magic wand turned into flowers at the most inopportune times
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#33 |
Veteran
Join Date: Oct 2000
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#34 | |
I'm with the banned.
Join Date: Sep 2006
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Quote:
And stupid? Because you wanted it, expected it, believed it, etc.
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"Faith and reason are like two wings on which the human spirit rises to the contemplation of truth ..." – Pope Saint John Paul II |
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#35 |
....
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Somewhere Kansas
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So when does he and Elton John go on vacation?
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#36 |
Seize life. Be an ermine.
Join Date: Jul 2001
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I was about to make a joke based on not knowing who he is, but as I've been reading about him, I kind of like him. So he gets a pass.
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#37 |
Snacks Are Under My Apron
Join Date: Jan 2006
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#38 |
I'm with the banned.
Join Date: Sep 2006
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I should know better than to look this shit up.
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#39 |
What's up braj?
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#40 |
A certain set of skills
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: texas
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Randi's feeling a little randy.
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/randy ~ ![]() ~Lustful:excitid about lust lusty night planned for great lover to conquer for who tried to attack my beautuify slutual situation. Last edited by Fairplay; 03-21-2010 at 09:38 PM.. |
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#41 |
Amateur Poster
Join Date: Mar 2004
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This guy kicks ass. I do not care if he is gay, because there is nothing wrong with that (please note that I did not use the abbreviation or similar abbreviation there of). However, if he was a zombie, I would have to take offense to that. Eat my flesh? **** you, Zombie.
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#42 |
Don't Tease Me
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: KS
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because all gay people know each other ... they have secret meetings together every thursday night at starbucks.
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#43 | |
Snacks Are Under My Apron
Join Date: Jan 2006
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Quote:
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#44 |
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Join Date: Dec 2002
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This guy is somewhere on my top-100 list of people I most respect and admire. He has a very clear and brilliant mind. I dont care if he's gay.
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#45 |
Seize life. Be an ermine.
Join Date: Jul 2001
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I'm surprised you don't know about Siegfried and Roy.
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