I have already written some thoughts on James Randi coming out on Wil Wheaton’s blog. I’ll paraphrase it for here, since some of it would be out of context otherwise:
I’m not thrilled with the way he did it, honestly – I think being gleeful about coming out goes a lot further than hedging. His phrasing sounds reluctant; nobody was forcing him to come out, so why the uncertain tone? If you’ve made a decision, don’t fear it. The way he came out perpetuates the sense that being gay is something to be ashamed of. Shouting it from the rooftops is what encourages acceptance – “we’re here, we’re queer, get used to it” shows a lot more courage than “well, um, I guess…I’m (whispers) gay.”
That said, I think it is terrific news, and I am thrilled to have him on the team.
I suppose it’s more being a mid-thirties straight guy than anything else, but this announcement seemed a bit “meh” to me. I mean, it’s cool and all that he’s gay, but his announcement seemed somewhat forced and tortured. I realize that old habits die hard, and someone born during the Great Depression is truly “of another era”, but the dude is at the forefront of one of the most open-minded communities out there. Being gay is as accepted within the community of skeptics as popcorn is at movie theaters.
This doesn’t change the fact that he’s still one of my personal heroes.