More about Van Cliburn.

Van Cliburn was a great musician. But in Texas, he could have been fired at any time by his employer for being gay.

It's time for his church, the Baptist Church, no stand up for civil rights for people like Mr. Cliburn.

I am confused: If he carried the Gospel message in his heart, but never shared it, of what importance is this?

I am glad to hear he apparently was a believer but I would also have hoped somewhere along the way he shared openly his belief.

Perhaps as one comment said there needs to be more said, at least to set the record straight.

Thank you.

Ah, so there is a reason for limiting disclosure of Mr. Cliburn in your article: He was gay? I didn't know this.

Perhaps that should be discussed by the writer. The tendancy toward homosexuality is not wrong but the practice of being gay is sin I would hope that Mr. Cliburn was not a practicing homosexual. You disclosure of his being a silent hero of Christianity is perhaps misleading, CT.

Let's get all the cards on the table for fuller disclosure!

According to the Dallas Morning News article above, Van Clibern didn't openly speak about his sexuality, but it was widely known in circles that he was gay. In fact, when I googled his name, Advocate ( a gay magazine) has an article on the "gay pianist" (their words, not mine). Furthermore, he was involved in a palimony lawsuit with another man in 1996, but it was dropped due to no written contract. I will state the obvious to many, but very politically correct: Faith in Jesus and Homosexuality don't mix. I hope Van Clibern saw the error of his ways and repented before he passed. May God comfort his family during this difficult time.

I can't believe this - excuse my French - 'crap' is even being written about the most accomplishedd pianist I've ever heard perform. I was a student and on the staff on the Interlochen Center of the Arts. More than astounding performances were heard both times.

In fact the second time, I knew it would be the last - just as when I saw my husband's face 2/3's away in the sky exactly 8 months after he passed. I wondered if I'd see it again. I knew in my heart that I wouldn't.

People who flaunt anything 'bad' about a person are just looking for attention the wrong way. Why don't they learn to play the piano, or perhaps learn how to 'wash their own dishes correctly?' There is a correct method, you know! Maybe they're jealous because Van Cliburn's mother was a concert pianist and father, an oil tycoon.

Once, I was at Valparaiso U and finished my Bachelor's Degree in music. I stopped and told someone that I'm going to apply to get into the Univeristy of Illinois for my Master's. They said, "You'll never get in." I applied and got in! Lesson? When someone says that you can't, then go ahead. You can!

I will teach my granchildren that whenever someone says anything negative about you, just walk away. They're jealous. Do NOT turn around and be their friend.

Once again, if you'd like to flaunt the fact that Van Clibrn was gay, I suggest you go and take piano lessons instead and see how far you go! YOU MUST PRACTICE THOUGH. Give yourself the challenge!

And I DARE YOU to purchase his two famous pieces, Tschikovsky's Concert # 1 and the Rachmaninoff piece, and lie on your soafa and listen to them. I DARE YOU!

Bye for now, Vaerie Putsey P.s. and my mother always said,
"If you can't say something nice about someone, say NOTHING AT ALL!" (What did your mother teach you?)