# James Randi comes out... **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 21, 2010, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/james-randi-comes-out/533278 "2010-03-21T23:03:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![AppallingGael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b9bd4f/32.png) [@AppallingGael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AppallingGael)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2010, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/james-randi-comes-out/533278/21 "2010-03-22T04:10:17Z")
I knew it just from the way he spells “Randy”. The only thing I wondered about was whether he dots the “I” with a flower, a heart or a circle. ---
**Author:** ![Small\_Hen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ad7895/32.png) [@Small\_Hen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Small_Hen)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2010, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/james-randi-comes-out/533278/22 "2010-03-22T04:19:01Z")
This is the guy who bends spoons, right? ---
**Author:** ![pravnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2010, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/james-randi-comes-out/533278/23 "2010-03-22T04:22:34Z")
Fark headline: “Skeptic extraordinaire and scientific investigator “The Amazing Randi” comes out of the closet. I’ll be in debunk” ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2010, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/james-randi-comes-out/533278/24 "2010-03-22T05:18:26Z")
> [@AppallingGael](#): > > I knew it just from the way he spells “Randy”. The only thing I wondered about was whether he dots the “I” with a flower, a heart or a circle. Perhaps a tiny pink triangle. And my personal gaydar zeroed in on him long ago. Now, whose turn is it to buy the guy his toaster? ---
**Author:** ![Torpor\_Beast](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/71e660/32.png) [@Torpor\_Beast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Torpor_Beast)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2010, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/james-randi-comes-out/533278/25 "2010-03-22T05:31:40Z")
The guy has always been one of my heroes. It certainly hasn’t been because of whom he does or does not spend teh sexytimes with. I loved the Fark headline too, though. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim_r.mortiss/32/142_2.png) [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_R.Mortiss)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2010, 7:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/james-randi-comes-out/533278/26 "2010-03-22T07:13:38Z")
When was the last time this guy got any publicity at all? Gay or not, this sounds like a desperate attempt to drum up a few headlines at any cost. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2010, 7:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/james-randi-comes-out/533278/27 "2010-03-22T07:23:34Z")
> [@Small\_Hen](#): > > This is the guy who bends spoons, right? In the sense that he says “look, here’s how Uri Gellar bends spoons and claims to have magic powers” - he’s a magician and avid skeptic who likes to attack bullshit claims. He’s probably most well known for the [Million dollar paranormal challenge](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One_Million_Dollar_Paranormal_Challenge#The_One_Million_Paranormal_Challenge) which is an open invitation for anyone to demonstrate any sort of supernatural powers under controlled conditions. Strangely enough, no one has qualified. > [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](#): > > When was the last time this guy got any publicity at all? Gay or not, this sounds like a desperate attempt to drum up a few headlines at any cost. He recently stepped down as head of the JREF. He’s 81. I think he may have kept it hidden because for whatever reason he thought it might damage his credibility, and now that he no longer runs the organization and he’s starting to wind down, he can be more open about it. I respect the guy a lot so I may be thinking the best of him, but I haven’t really seen anything that suggests he’s a media whore to me. His exposure in the media has all been to educate and boost skepticism. ---
**Author:** ![AClockworkMelon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aclockworkmelon/32/10803_2.png) [@AClockworkMelon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AClockworkMelon)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2010, 7:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/james-randi-comes-out/533278/28 "2010-03-22T07:25:35Z")
> [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](#): > > When was the last time this guy got any publicity at all? Gay or not, this sounds like a desperate attempt to drum up a few headlines at any cost. I can’t be sure, of course, but having watched his videos, that would seem _very_ out of character. ---
**Author:** ![DragonAsh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/db5fbb/32.png) [@DragonAsh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DragonAsh)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2010, 9:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/james-randi-comes-out/533278/29 "2010-03-22T09:32:33Z")
> [@pravnik](#): > > Fark headline: > > “Skeptic extraordinaire and scientific investigator “The Amazing Randi” comes out of the closet. I’ll be in debunk” That might be the best headline _ever_. ---
**Author:** ![BigBertha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/d78d45/32.png) [@BigBertha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigBertha)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2010, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/james-randi-comes-out/533278/30 "2010-03-22T16:28:46Z")
> [@pythonzzz](#): > > …and why didn’t Sylvia Brown or Uri Geller (or any ‘psychic’) say anything over the years?? 😕 😉 because they are frauds. ---
**Author:** ![Unauthorized\_Cinnamon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/bc8723/32.png) [@Unauthorized\_Cinnamon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unauthorized_Cinnamon)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2010, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/james-randi-comes-out/533278/31 "2010-03-22T16:38:20Z")
Yeah, Randi, Whedon, and punning. That is freakin sweet. As for the announcement, I too thought I would find something shocking when I opened this thread. He’s gay? I just cannot describe how little I personally care about or am shocked by that. Now, I do support and sympathize with him that even today it is something of a big deal to announce this, because of the number of benighted yahoos we still have in our society. I agree with him that children today are going to come of age in a much more tolerant culture, and that is a wonderful thing. ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2010, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/james-randi-comes-out/533278/32 "2010-03-22T16:52:10Z")
One other thing occurred to me - he’s 81. Unless he’s some kind of Anthony Quinn paragon, gay or straight is sort of a moot point. ---
**Author:** ![Small\_Hen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ad7895/32.png) [@Small\_Hen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Small_Hen)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2010, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/james-randi-comes-out/533278/33 "2010-03-22T17:03:37Z")
> [@SenorBeef](#): > > In the sense that he says “look, here’s how Uri Gellar bends spoons and claims to have magic powers” - he’s a magician and avid skeptic who likes to attack bullshit claims. He’s probably most well known for the [Million dollar paranormal challenge](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One_Million_Dollar_Paranormal_Challenge#The_One_Million_Paranormal_Challenge) which is an open invitation for anyone to demonstrate any sort of supernatural powers under controlled conditions. Strangely enough, no one has qualified. > > . Oh, so he’s the opposite of the guy who bends spoons. Okay. I got him confused with Uri Gellar. I’m sure he’d love that. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2010, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/james-randi-comes-out/533278/34 "2010-03-22T17:30:42Z")
He has been one of my heroes for like twenty years. I always assumed that he was gay. I’m not even sure why. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2010, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/james-randi-comes-out/533278/35 "2010-03-22T17:38:25Z")
> [@Tim R. Mortiss](#): > > When was the last time this guy got any publicity at all? Gay or not, this sounds like a desperate attempt to drum up a few headlines at any cost. The last time James Randi got any publicity? Gosh, it might be as long ago as… February 2010? That’s for his most recent skeptical campaign against fraudulent devices for bomb detection. [Famed Magician Battles Bogus Bomb Detectors](http://www.aolnews.com/world/article/famed-magician-james-randi-battles-bogus-bomb-detectors/19373261) [Export ban for useless ‘bomb detector’](http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/newsnight/8471187.stm) [Head of ATSC ‘bomb detector’ company arrested on suspicion of fraud](http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article6997859.ece) ISTM that James Randi doesn’t really have much trouble getting into the news on topics other than his sexual orientation. It would be nice if you would retract your mean-spirited sneer, but I won’t hold my breath. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim_r.mortiss/32/142_2.png) [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_R.Mortiss)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2010, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/james-randi-comes-out/533278/36 "2010-03-22T19:04:41Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > The last time James Randi got any publicity? Gosh, it might be as long ago as… February 2010? That’s for his most recent skeptical campaign against fraudulent devices for bomb detection. > > [Famed Magician Battles Bogus Bomb Detectors](http://www.aolnews.com/world/article/famed-magician-james-randi-battles-bogus-bomb-detectors/19373261) > > [Export ban for useless ‘bomb detector’](http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/newsnight/8471187.stm) > > [Head of ATSC ‘bomb detector’ company arrested on suspicion of fraud](http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article6997859.ece) > > ISTM that James Randi doesn’t really have much trouble getting into the news on topics other than his sexual orientation. It would be nice if you would retract your mean-spirited sneer, but I won’t hold my breath. No need to get all in a huff. It wasn’t intended as either mean-spirited or a sneer. People do that all the time. If I’m wrong, so be it. I’m not arguing the point, just pointing out a possibility. You are free to refute it, as you did. ---
**Author:** ![choie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/choie/32/7829_2.png) [@choie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/choie)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2010, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/james-randi-comes-out/533278/37 "2010-03-22T19:12:58Z")
> [@Tim R. Mortiss](#): > > this sounds like a desperate attempt to drum up a few headlines at any cost. Yeah, I can’t imagine why anyone might think this was mean-spirited or a sneer! ---
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2010, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/james-randi-comes-out/533278/38 "2010-03-22T19:25:39Z")
> [@Small\_Hen](#): > > Oh, so he’s the opposite of the guy who bends spoons. Okay. I got him confused with Uri Gellar. I’m sure he’d love that. 😛 I think Randi would be more amused than anything else. I’d be on the look out for hit squads from Gellar, though. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Excellent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f19dbf/32.png) [@Mr.Excellent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Excellent)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2010, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/james-randi-comes-out/533278/39 "2010-03-22T19:37:50Z")
I’ve a lot of respect for this fellow, and I don’t want to knock him for doing as he thinks best, but - does anyone actually _care_? I mean, is there some jackass who’s going around protesting gay marriages with a bullhorn, but has everything Randi’s ever written - most of it autographed - and now he’s joining PFLAG? ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2010, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/james-randi-comes-out/533278/40 "2010-03-22T20:44:50Z")
> [@FriarTed](#): > > I thought there was gonna be a twist to this & he admits to some religious or paranormal beliefs. Yep. He’s gay. So what? That’s so normal. Now if came out as a dowser or card reader or something weird, that’d be something to announce. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/james-randi-comes-out/533278.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/james-randi-comes-out/533278.md?page=3)