Wow; all the comments about how it’s not necessary to the plot and how Dumbledore’s sexual orientation should have been “private” or not mentioned at all…
Did you folks actually read the last couple of books?? Raging hormones everywhere! Who is taking whom to the dance, who is, to quote Ron, “snogging” whom – they talk about it, dream about it, plan it, have angst around it…was any of that “necessary” to the plot? We know the sexual orientations of almost every STUDENT at Hogwarts, and they are – gasp – mere teenagers.
Anyone who suggested that because Dumbledore was gay then he should have or would have “made a pass” at Harry or any of his students does not deserve the dignity of a response, but here it is. Gay does not equal abusive, untrustworthy, or interested in children. When you imagined him as straight, would you imagine him “coming on to” Hermione? Probably not. Give him the same respect of character as a gay man, then.
And as for being politically correct…when has JKR given a fig for being “correct”? Who does she have to please now? Who will rush to buy the books because a central charcter has been identified as gay outside the realm of the printed collection? Xtian extremists think they will have a harder time getting other extremists to read them? Um; ok. But you know, they is THEIR problem, not JKR’s. These are the people who want the books out of libraries and who want to burn them. Why should JKR avoid saying anything she made up about HER characters to please people who think Harry Potter will lead their children to practicing Wicca – and say that SERIOUSLY.
It always amazes me that people who you would think might take to heart JKR’s messages of tolerance, understanding, openness and bravery would still have space left there to fear, hate, dislike or just feel ooogy about the very idea that someone admirable, trustworthy, brave and kind (especially to children) could also be gay.
This just seemed like an unnecessary piece of information. It doesn’t really add anything to the story. Don’t get me wrong I have nothing wrong with fgay people, I have a lot of gay friends. It just seems like it came out of nowhere. I didn’t really see any evidence in the books pointing to Albus being gay.
But why bother now guy? She had to know that this announcement would be huge at this point. Why say this now? That’s the problem I have with it?
Did DH not get enough press? Is she trying to get it back into the media? It just seems quite odd timing to me, being in USA, that so long after the last book comes out such a HUGE point is given to us.
It’s shocking. Absolutely it’s shocking. But it’s also wonderfully brave.
And you know, that doesn’t change a thing about Dumbledore. He’s still the same mentor we’ve been reading about for seven books. We just know a little more about him now. What, are you mad that we now know Neville got married to Hannah? Does that ruin Neville for you? Does it change your view of him because he’s attracted to girls? No? Why am I not surprised. It should be no different for Dumbledore.
Although it would have been nice to see a positive homosexual relationship too, I hope no one honestly thinks this is how Jo sees all gay relationships. It’s how she see Dumbledore and Grindelwald’s relationship.
They’re her characters, people, not yours. Sorry you don’t like her choices. I don’t like all of them either. But throwing a fit will not change them.
This news confirms so much I had suspected about Albus. He had to battle the one person he truly loved in order to save the world. That adds SO MUCH to the story, folks. That whole battle scene is so much more raw and gut-wrenching when you put yourself in his place. MASTERFULLY done Jo. Masterfully.
- Just another Soldier in Dumbledore’s Army
Celia – If you like the last book, fair enough. I don’t. I’m here because I loved the books and was horrified to see the shambles that brought it to a conclusion. JKR could and should have done better but she dialed the last one in and that’s a real shame. And I’m entitled to say that here or anywhere else because being a fan doesn’t mean ignoring crappy writing.
The real shame of all this is the furor over OMG!! Dumbledore is TEH GAY!! is overshadowing the real details she finally got around to dealing with.
Yeah, it does seem like a really weird time to announce this little piece of information…
Interesting, very interesting. I liked the other stuff she talked about though—Petunia’s thoughts! Aww. =P
And Snape’s portrait. =D
“But why bother now guy? She had to know that this announcement would be huge at this point. Why say this now? That’s the problem I have with it?
Did DH not get enough press? Is she trying to get it back into the media? It just seems quite odd timing to me, being in USA, that so long after the last book comes out such a HUGE point is given to us.”
It’s possible that she was asked a question on the topic. Very possible. And I would say the timing is to be expected, seeing as this is when she’s doing these huge readings. When else would it have come out?
The reactions in these comments are really sad. A huge chunk of what the Harry Potter books are about is accepting people for who they are. Here are a bunch of Harry Potter fans doing exactly the opposite.
So many people asked if the Hogwarts teachers had sposes, etc. Would there be a problem if she had said Dumbledore loved a woman? I imagine you all would be interested in that information.
Well that is very true. gay people will have heterosexual relationships, so what is to say that children who see such idolized figures as being gay won’t think that is a completely accepatable way of displaing their sexuality. straight children could have gay relations just for attention. i think many bisexual people choose homogeneous relationships just for the attention anyway
THat’s hilarious about the Hermione and Harry thing. I think I would pull my hair out if I dated someone like Ron, so I still don’t know what brought Mr. Immature aka Ron Weasley and Ms. Know it all aka Hermione Granger together. I still don’t get it. Definitely proof that opposites attract. I bet the h/hr shippers were shivering with excitement when the horcrux harry and hermione kissed.
For the people who thought this was unnecessary information, Jo said Dumbledore was gay because she was ASKED about his love life. What was she supposed to do, lie to the audience? This wasn’t something she just decided to randomly blurt out, it was a question-and-answer session.
“The real shame of all this is the furor over OMG!! Dumbledore is TEH GAY!! is overshadowing the real details she finally got around to dealing with.”
That’s because people like you and Tom are making it.
Tom – First of all, did we ever see any signs that Dumbledore was straight? No – so it’s hardly fair to say that she didn’t give us enough signs – it just didn’t seem relevant enough to bring up in the books. As to why she’s revealing this now, don’t forget that us fanatic-types always love more backstory. You’re not complaining that she gave us other details. And besides, this actually adds to the story, since it sheds light on the friendship between Dumbledore and Grindelwald.
Just wanted to change the subject and tell you what the Harry and Hermione shippers are saying now.
“Yay! I read that article where JKR talks about marrying Harry.
The truth is, in my younger days, I dated Ron more than once,” she admitted, giving an inside look at why Hermione (the closest character to Rowling’s younger self) might be attracted to Harry’s best friend. “He’s fun to write, but not so much fun to date.” And once she had learned her lesson, Rowling said, “I married Harry Potter,” referring to her second husband, Neil Murray. source: MTV This is great news for us H/Hr shippers. Although Hermione dated Ron and even married him, she’s gonna “learn her lesson”, wake up to reality and marry Harry. He’s the best man after all.”