Package: xinit Version: 1.3.4-1 armhf I confirm the symptoms form the filled bug 801529, except that stdout redirection is possible and not influencing the output. Only the stderr redirection influences the startx in any form or syntax.
Some output from the startx command, when the stdout and the stderr are redirected to same file is: Fatal server error: (EE) xf86OpenConsole: VT_ACTIVATE failed: Operation not permitted (EE) (EE) Please consult the The X.Org Foundation support at http://wiki.x.org for help. (EE) Please also check the log file at "/home/rpitc/.local/share/xorg/Xorg.0.log " for additional information. (EE) (EE) FatalError re-entered, aborting (EE) xf86CloseConsole: VT_ACTIVATE failed: Operation not permitted (EE) xinit: giving up xinit: unable to connect to X server: Connection refused xinit: server error System information: Debian release: stretch/sid Architecture: armhf Kernel: 4.1.8-v7+ #818 SMP PREEMPT Tue Sep 29 01:40:47 BST 2015 armv7l GNU/Linux Locale: LANG=hr_HR.UTF-8