The importance of sexuality to luminary authors/academics/etc.

[djugurba]

There have been a few mentions of the potential homosexuality of people we've been discussing in a few other threads, and I thought it an interesting topic.

I've been reading about Poe's and Melville's potential homosexuality lately, and we've added Turing recently.

Have we missed out on, or, alternately, been graced with amazing works of literature due to the repressed sexuality of some of our finest american writers? What about losing out on scientific discoveries due to persecuted scientists?

Bartleby the Scrivener has been read by some as Melville's lament on a society unwelcoming of his preference. It's all-consuming, and eventually leads to a wasted death, not unlike Melville's own. I prefer to read Bartleby as a critique of the oppressive normative forces of capitalism, but it could easily be both.

Any thoughts?
k

[aklim]

IMO, a gay scientist's discovery is as valuable as a straight scientist. IIRC, there was some speculation that Einstien had pedophillic tendencies and E=MC2.

[kerry]

If the apparent connection between Turing's conviction and sentencing for being a homosexual, is real, and he killed himself as a result of that, it is undoubtedly a tragic event.
I suppose there could be a biological connection between sexuality and artistic or scienitfic creativity, but it seems to me that there is a social connection between the two. A person who feels themselves separate from the main group, has greater potential for seeing things in in a different light.

[Botnst]

Originally Posted by kerry edwards

If the apparent connection between Turing's conviction and sentencing for being a homosexual, is real, and he killed himself as a result of that, it is undoubtedly a tragic event.
I suppose there could be a biological connection between sexuality and artistic or scienitfic creativity, but it seems to me that there is a social connection between the two. A person who feels themselves separate from the main group, has greater potential for seeing things in in a different light.

I agree with that, and vice (ahem) versa. People who are capable of seeing things differently tend not to fit comfortably within the normative processes of society.

[H2O2]

I've always had an empathy and and sense of kinship with homosexuals due to a similar feeling of being a social outcast. Of course that empathy didn't manifest itself during my prepubescent Christian days, when I was taught to fear and loath them (apparently it was ok to hate homosexuals, murderers and devil worshipers). Heck, I'd probably be gay if it weren't for shameless and repetitive brainwashing at the hands of women. I blame them for stifling my creative growth and exploration.