You make it clear to me, however, how much of a privilege that can be in this world, and help me to understand how important Randi’s action is. My reaction to his sexuality remains the same, but my appreciation for his coming out is much more enhanced, so thanks.

But I think you get that. 🙂 And I think this is another good example of why itâ??s so important for people to come out.

Of course, one should only come out if they want to. I do not think anyone should ever be forced to come out — unless, of course, they are a Republican right-wing who touts “family values” and then boinks gay hookers on the side. 😉 But, I do think it’s very important and awesome when people do decide to come out — and I don’t just mean celebrities. It’s just as important for every day folk to come out.

I really, really admire Harvey Milk, and that was basically his message: Come out, show yourself, and don’t be ashamed; let people know you exist!

I grew up in the middle of nowhere Arizona, which is pretty conservative. Even I have a few friends I went to school with that eventually came out, including one that came out as male-to-female trans.

And I know that Randi isn’t a Hollywood star, but he is very, very well known and respected in the Skeptical movement, and in my opinion, the Skeptical movement really needs to take on gay issues more, though that does seem to be happening more often these days. Thatâ??s why itâ??s so great that someone so highly respected has come out.

Now, perhaps, more LGBT Skeptics will feel like they aren’t the only ones. I know it seems very “duh, why wouldn’t the Skeptical movement accept LGBT folk?!” but just because the Skeptical movement seems to be progressive, it doesn’t mean that it’s a given that LGBT folk will be accepted, or that they feel they will be accepted. Like I said, it helps to know there are fellow LGBT folk in the Skeptical movement.

Now I’m going to have my first cup of coffee of the day and think about what that all means.

I think it’s quite fitting, and very telling, that James Randi was inspired to come out after he saw Milk. This leads me to believe he didn’t necessarily come out primarily because of personal reasons.

If you’re not familiar with Harvey Milk, I highly suggest you watch the movie, and the documentary the movie inspired. Milk very much encouraged people to come out.

Why? Because the more people realize that gay people exist, the better. And, the more gay people realize they aren’t alone, the better.

I get the feeling that James Randi saw how important it was, especially in this day and age where things are changing and changing fast, to come out, especially as a highly respected Skeptic.

So, it may not be a big deal to you, because you are straight, and straight is normal and accepted. You don’t have to worry about being “different”.

One day it will be nice when sexuality doesnâ??t matter â?? when it is normal to be gay, straight, bi, or whatever it is you want to identify as. I think we all want sexuality to be no big thang. We wish people just didnâ??t care.

But thatâ??s not reality. Even though things have changed, being gay is still a big deal. Itâ??s still thought of as different.

Thatâ??s why itâ??s important for people to come out.

We didnâ??t get where we are today in the gay rights movement by keeping silent.