[Pete Thomas]

I believe that sexual orientation/preference in the context of everyday professional and social interaction doesn't matter (in other words we treat people of whatever race, religion, sexual orientation with respect and don't discriminate). I'm sure this goes without saying for us positing here.

However this is a nonetheless a valid topic for a thread. These days it's also valid area of academic research.

I'm just wondering if the thread may be in danger of being derailed if it goes off into other areas of discussion (not that we shouldn't be able to have those discussions, but probably not in this thread)

Seems to me it's a legitimate question born out of interest, and I see no reason to question the topic's validity or assume any other agenda.

It may not be an easy question to answer fully when looking back to less enlightened times when it was shameful and often dangerous to be publically homosexual. - e.g. Tchaikovsky who I believe did write for saxophone.

 

[Pete Thomas]

Id love to see this discussion...but there is currently nothing to discuss. Somehow I bet the OP has something in mind. It would be cool if he/she shared so we could participate rather than just provide data. Sadly I have no data to share with the OP but I think a social discussion (kept in bounds) would be interesting.

I agree, and I can see that with further context from the OP why the thread would stay more nicely on track.

 

[Pete Thomas]

Stuff like this will take me away from this forum.

Of course, the forum and its policy of allowing discussion is not to everyone's taste, nor is it compulsory.

Music is absolutely, unequivocally the world's only universal language.

Well, that is open to debate. Could be be quite a good discussion because some may say it's not a language, others may say it is but so is dance and other art forms.

But are you able to say how it is relevant to this thread?

If you are moved to make music then make music. Music comes from your soul.

Again, a good debate could come from that. But again, are you able to say how it is relevant to this thread?

I've always thought curiosity was a good thing, regardless of where it is pointed.

Ah the universal language of curiosity, comes from your soul

 

[Pete Thomas]

I don't see what's wrong with that.

I agree.

Plus I think there is legitimate academic interest in the topic, which is what the OP is about.

It can be a useful thread.

 

[Pete Thomas]

It's a shame that the agitation by the people who have jumped into this thread in the last week is probably going to cause the thread to be locked, or at least result in a series of deleted posts.

The OP respectfully asked about biographical information relating to COMPOSERS for the saxophone. This is not an uncommon inquiry by any means -- and yes, sexuality is part of people's lives, and therefore part of their biographies. It's unfortunate that some members should take umbrage at a reasonable discussion and join the conversation simply to declare it invalid, based solely on their personal discomfort with the topic.

Sadly we have had to delete a lot of posts, and I apologise to those whose deleted posts were actually rational, but sadly there is often some collateral damage when you have to delete the irrelevant or offensive stuff. It is not an easy thread to moderate, because there is a lot of interesting discussion going on which is sad to lose. I have left a couple that maybe should be also be deleted but the rational positive content of those seems to be valuable (mods will be discussing). Meanwhile please stay on topic.

If you disagree with moderator action that is totally your prerogative, we respect that, and please feel free to discuss it with admins privately.

Again: This thread question appears legitimate. It is in the context of academia, so all posts (however well intentioned) that say it doesn't matter will be deleted, not for any political reason, purely because there have been so many and however true in social or personal contexts misses the point of the thread.

It seems a good thing people agree a person's sexuality/gender may not be relevant to them personally or socially, however as an academic study it seems totally acceptable to discuss and learn from.

Apparently, some folk are interested in these matters and some are not.

Anyone interested please continue, if not please don't...