I really debated whether or not to upvote this. I'm guessing that HN has a higher percentage of people who like (or at least know of) Randi than the general public, so it certainly fits the "general interest" guideline. But I'd also (like to) think that we're getting to a point (at least in this community) where this is so acceptable as to not warrant mention. I also worried that I'd be contributing to the "Look Who's Gay Now!" style of news that plagues conventional outlets (well, at least entertainment news).

That being said, I don't mean to take away from Randi's personal decision to come out and the hardships he had to endure for the last 70 years. This comment is my own little part of the "murmur of acceptance" he expected and I hope that he would appreciate me asking (as an honest question for the purpose of social insight), why did you, as an HN reader find this newsworthy?