James Randi: Why I Came Out at Age 81

As a teenager in the '40s, James Randi "would have gotten stoned" for being gay. But when he outed himself to the world in 2010, the reaction was "wonderful."

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• bigthink
• James
• Randi

[YaleBreaker]

@theknightlynews Mutation is natural. Learning disabilities are natural. Being born with a single eye is natural. Disease is natural.

Stop raping the meaning of words, please.

[Lopinjop1238]

"I'm gay but I'm not blind" That made me laugh :P

[fireemblemaddict128]

I do believe homosexuality is a slight genetic abnormality. You can think of it like that, or if you please, think of it as a genetic rarity. Like red hair, lol. I don't see how this changes anything though. Gay people are still people, as are red heads.

[scoobydoobehaviour]

@theknightlynews

Natural : Existing in or formed by nature.

Normal : A moot point - there's nothing special about being normal.

Bigot : A person obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices.

Wanker : Implying egotistical and self-indulgent behaviour.

[wojovox]

it took me this long to realize he was gay?....gaydar must be broken. Go Randi! Some will consider this shallow but it reminds me of when Dumbledoore was released as being gay by J.K. This makes me laugh and smile and happy to have like this guy all along.

[theknightlynews]

@alelp I didn't say homosexuality was natural. But it is part of nature, just as disease is. As such, it isn't normal, but it does happen. Just as being born with two heads isn't normal. But some creatures are born with two heads. Nature screws up all the time. With regards to the this screw up, it happens about 5% of the time. So Nature gets it right 95% of the time, which is significantly better than Southwest airlines at 83%. And Southwest Airlines tries not to be late.

[alelp]

@theknightlynews That's a fallacy. Basically you are saying "Diseases are natural" "Homosexuality is natural" therefore "Homosexuality is a disease", which is like saying "Japanese are Asian" "Russians are Asian", therefore "Japanese are Russian". So its not a correct chain of reasoning.

[alelp]

@theknightlynews YES, exactly, its not normal, which doesnt mean its bad, it just means that its not what happens most of the time. But i think you would agree with me that its natural, since it occurs.

[CodyMDDVM]

Does this make you Randy? lol

[hartistry1957]

@Seektheday Yeah Grandpa, read us the story of that gay fireman who smoked that pole.

[hartistry1957]

Here's the definition of "Randy": randy |ˈrandē|

adjective ( randier , randiest )

1 informal sexually aroused or excited.

2 Scottish, archaic (of a person) having a rude, aggressive manner.

And let's not forget: He is also "Amazing":)

[xbradx11]

@cuvinteleluitati You honestly believe that? There is no God, if there was, i'm sure he's dead now. Anyways, So, a magical wizard that made the entire universe...and thought that Earthlings should have a chance to be saved, i mean it's not like there are a billion other planets, but, he wanted to save us and sent his own "son" to die for us... wouldn't you think, he'd just wave his wand and allow us to be saved? Instead of killing his only son.. Now, that's just silly...