That is why I was suggesting that we use this concrete example to try to sort out what we really mean when we say a thread is "off topic."
Assuming the host(s) really meant it was off topic, you and I judge what is of interest to the LGBT community very differently than the hosts - and whether we like a narrower view or a broader view of the purpose of this group, there will be a lot fewer hurt feelings if we set out some guidelines to remove some of the discretion from the analysis.
In my opinion, whether my thread was of interest to the LGBT community was not even a close question. Just look at the thread stats up through the time it was locked. We'll never take all the discretion out, but we ought to at least be able to reach guidelines that say, for example: If treatment of the LBGT community within DU is the subject of the thread, it is within the purpose of the group and will not be locked because it is off topic. If we can't say that - then I think we need a narrower statement of purpose.
On the other hand, those ruby shoes....if interest to the LGBT community???. I'm 'bout to go alert on them...(just kidding).
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