At a press conference this morning in Toronto, author J.K. Rowling was asked repeatedly about the recent revelations regarding the background information on Dumbledore and the fact that she said she felt this character was gay. Saying “I’m not kidding,” about this statement Jo made last Friday in New York, the author went on to note “I know that it was a positive thing that I said it for at least one person because one man ‘came out’ at Carnegie Hall.”
The Star (DH plot spoiler at link!) continues on to note J.K. Rowling emphasized the information was revealed because she was asked a direct question about it, and said “she didn’t feel the need to be explicit about Dumbledore’s sexual preferences because she wanted to focus on character development.
“If you were an author then you would understand that when you write the ending it comes at the end,” she said.”
Update: The entire video press conference with Jo is now online, here. Thanks Mahri!)
Jo continued on to say:
The plot is what it is,” said Rowling. “(Dumbledore) did have, as I say, this rather tragic infatuation but that was a key part of the ending of the story so there it is. Why would I put the key part of my ending of my story in Book One?”
Rowling said Tuesday she found it “freeing” to out Dumbledore, adding that the passages about him will mean different things to different readers.
“I think a child will see a friendship and I think a sensitive adult may well understand that it was an infatuation,” she said.
UPDATE: Reuters has more now from JKR, who elaborated on her decision to reveal the information about Dumbledore stating:”He is my character. He is what he is and I have the right to say what I say about him.”
Jo also said again “she might work on a Potter encyclopedia for charity, but only after a long break.”It’s like the break-up of a marriage. It’s a good idea not to see each other for a while, then maybe you can be good friends afterwards,” she said.”
Update 3: Photos of Jo from the press conference in Toronto, Ontario Canada are now up in our galleries, here.
I have been a huge fan of these books. I have read them all and seen all the movies. I am very unhappy that she made a comment about Dumbledore being gay. Forget the issue as to whether or not being gay is wrong or right. It is not a strangers place to teach our children about such issues. It should be up to the parents. What is this world coming to when it is ok for a stranger to raise such questions for our children.
There is all this talk about how it will affect the children. Why do they need to know about these comments? The thought that he was gay never even crossed my mind when I read it, and when my son is old enough to read it, I will not point it out to him (unless he comes up with it, then we will discuss it!)
Jo even says that a child would see friendship, and I think that is all that is necessary.
Regarding my previous post. This is embarassing, amazing for a troll to argue “Get over it”. Mind you, a little context, I’ve been a fan of the books since 2000. I contributed a little to the HP Lexicon and was a moderator for the HP Lexicon Forum for a good spell. Now, I don’t want to be a party with some of these alleged ‘fans’, it’s really a disgrace, best of luck though. Some people really need to look at themselves.
Some people on these chats seem to be arguing just for the sake of arguing. They have absolutely nothing productive to say. I’m embarrassed to admit I’ve gotten got up in these arguments during the past couple days. If you have only hurtful and hateful things to say, find another outlet for your anger. Don’t go insulting JKR or any of her fans.
It upsets me to think that Homosexuals have become so public in the western hemisphere … tolerance should go two ways you should tolerate our sensitivity’s and stay quiet or we will have a indisputable right to talk back and stop you as you try to stop us.
Regarding gay not being Normal or the way nature made us: Nonsense. It’s a solidly established fact that there are gay and lesbian animals in all of nature. While were on the subject, the ability to procreate (or not) is no measure of the validity of the relationships. If it is, then un-marry those people who spent years together but are barren, have no children.
What this is REALLY all about is people trying to control others, tell others what is Right or Wrong, what they “should” do. So long as no one is being harmed (and if they are, that’s a separate issue) someone’s orientation is none of anyone else’s business.
In the real world, there are many very successful, happy, sane, normal people who just happen to be hardwired to love those of the same gender. Did you enjoy Gandalf, from Lord of the Rings? The ACTOR is openly gay, in a committed relationship. No one would ever accuse Gandalf of being a wimp, a stooge or anything else untoward.
Stick to your bedroom, keep you noses out of everyone else’s bedrooms, and be glad when people can find love in the world.
I’ll have to side with Whitney on most of these issues. Why was it important to have a plant in the audience to ask that question in order to give a prepared answer? Why is it so important to discuss sexual preferences at age eight or nine (probably a decent stab at the average age of the readers).
(Kos, please notice I can utilize, emphasize, and, when I’m very fortunate, tantalize without those darn dangling participles and phrases that so often are quite a nuisance to good literature. My punctuation ain’t real wonky, either).
But why is it so important? Do normal people begin indoctrinating their children at age three
as to be being heterosexual? Then why do homosexuals? And it was mentioned about shoving their beliefs down one’s throat. Mm. A bit weak on the evidence side unless you’re reaching to ads shown every day where a bride and groom are displaying a tux and gown for a business, etc.
But with that type of ad, was it the sole purpose to sell heterosexuality to an unsuspecting public? Were there subliminal messages hidden inside the gal’s train or the guy’s pocket hankie?
Why do we have to tell our children they can be homosexual? If this was a natural-born condition, wouldn’t they know?
And the bigotry. I’m sure many times there have been ugly displays of bigotry. You won’t find it from me although I do not condone this type of activity (alternate “lifestyle”?). But I will have to point out that most of the rantings I’ve seen do not come from the individuals who have taken a bit more stringent stance on the matter. Biblical stance, I dare say?
But, alas, the cat is in the cauldron and the intended message to promote homosexuality, or, as one put it, “shoving your i’ll (sic) informed opinions down peoples (sic) throats” has been accomplished.
I was perusing the local book shop recently, considering for my five-year-old son the complete set of books in hardback. It’s the one that comes with the locking box for storage? I thought he might enjoy them when he’s a bit older.
Fortunately, I heard this on the news before I put more money into the support of a lifestyle of which I do not condone.
We’re called bigots when we don’t agree with this militant group. But I’ll make a deal with them. I’ll wear one shoe, they wear the other.
ALL SHE WAS DOING WAS ANSWERING A SIMPLE QUESTION, I DONT THINK THIS HAD ANYTHING TO DO WITH SELLING MORE, I THINK EVERYONE ALREADY HAS THE BOOK ANYWAYS. OR ANYONE THAT WILL HAVE EVEN HEARD THIS NEWS! ALTHOUGH I DO NOT THINK ITS RIGHT FOR A CHILDRENS BOOK, MANY CHILDREN DONT EVEN FULLY UNDERSTAND WHAT GAY IS, BUT THEN AGAIN THE ONES WHO DONT PROBABLY DONT WATCH THE NEWS ( OR READ THE NEWS) SO THEREFORE THEY DONT EVEN KNOW AND THEY JUST LOVE DD THE SAME!
@Rachel: She’s not teaching anyone anything freakin’ thing. WHY are some of you people so freakin’ simple minded??? She said that when she was writing the character of Dumbledore that SHE pictured him as GAY and that HELPED her developed his character. THAT’s all she said. It’s not like she’s saying that everyone has to be accepting of homosexuals just because Dumbledore’s Gay. Because clearly in this WORLD that we live in today, EVERYONE can’t be accepted if THEY ARE DIFFERENT!!!
Why don’t we just all agree that we were surprised and have differing opinions? I like debate, but I think people are taking it too far. Especially the type of trolls that ruined DH for me.
We all love(d) Dumbledore, you can accept him or not. You can choose to read the books to your kids or not. You can choose to read the books yourself or not. We beat the issue like a dead hippogriff. Dumbledore’s here, he’s queer, accept it or not. Jo did it, it happened, let’s say our piece and end it. You choose to be a fan, if you don’t want to anymore, than that’s your loss.
“There is no need to tackle the gay issue in a children’s book. The world is not ready for that. If she wants to tackle gay issues, she should do it in another series.”
@Trick,
I wasn’t aware that JKR did “tackle gay issues” in the books. There is no mention of homosexuality anywhere in HP that I can recall.
JKR certainly did deal with intolerance…something you may want to give some thought to.
@Richard: Are you age 8 or 9? Is anyone in here 8 or 9 years old right now??? EXACTLY!! Most kids that age don’t even know what the word GAY means. So they probably don’t even care, it hasn’t changed a thing for them. I’m 20 years old and the only thing it’s changed for me is it’s made me like Dumbledore more! But I honestly wouldn’t care if she had said Dumbledore was a serial killer, I would still love the books just as much as I do now. Because they’re awesome!
"I still want to hear about anything odd. But you're not to go leaving Hogwarts without permission; it would be an ideal opportunity for someone to attack you."[br]"No one's tried to attack me so far, except a dragon and a couple of grindylows," Harry sai
I have been a huge fan of these books. I have read them all and seen all the movies. I am very unhappy that she made a comment about Dumbledore being gay. Forget the issue as to whether or not being gay is wrong or right. It is not a strangers place to teach our children about such issues. It should be up to the parents. What is this world coming to when it is ok for a stranger to raise such questions for our children.