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.
Here’s the thing (and there’s really no getting around it) there are gay people in the world. Whether or not you agree that is the fact. I applaud Jo for writing DD as a gay man. Maybe we can teach our children that being different is not a bad thing. For all those out there who use their religion as an excuse to bash the homosexuals in the world and now Jo for writing about them, let me ask you a question. Don’t you remember the part in the Bible that says “judge not, least ye be judged”? As for writing about it, Jo showed us that a person is not defind by their sexual orientaion. Dumbledor was a great man and taught Harry how to defeat evil. Nothing takes away from that aspect of the book, not even homosexuality.
Posted by disappointed in HP fans on October 23, 2007, 05:23 PM
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Whitney wrote near the top of this thread: “I’m disgusted by the news. I’ve lost all respect for Dumbledore.”
I’m so glad JK decided to do this now. It really exposes all those for whom respect is conditional. I wonder what the reaction will be when a family member comes out to them? Will all those years of holidays, talks, and laughs suddenly mean nothing?
Probably. Small minds can only concentrate on small things.
reading the comments and disgusted
I’m DISGUSTED and almost EMBARRASSED to be called an HP fan. What ever did happen to being a fan and not putting people down. No, I’m not talking about the “haters”. I’m talking about some of you guys who are just as bad as the haters.
I’ve made my statement loud and clear that I don’t agree with homosexuality THAT DOESN’T MEAN Ihate gays and lesbians. I’m merely stating my personal opinion and my belief and so are some. It’s like saying why Hindus don’t eat cows or Jews don’t eat pork. And we respect them (well some of us) and yet we can’t respect people have a different opinion towards homosexuality. WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?!
Granted some people are a little more outspoken than others. But DON’T YOU EVER EVER make it your personal mission to attack, just b/c you don’t like it.
What ever did happen to tolerance (I’m beginning to hate that word)?! I am truly disgusted by the HATE AND ANGER towards some of you guys have.
That also goes for Whitney and Soldier who are VERY outspoken and once we know your opinion, there’s not reason to state it over and over. Or you could’ve said it in a better way.
I shall place the Cruciatus Curse on the next person to insult my creator, J K Rowling, a fine woman and the only muggle I have any time for. You have been warned.
As someone has already mentioned, it’s not whether you believe gayness is right or wrong. The fact remains that there are gay people in the world. “Sheltering” people is just dumb. All sorts of sex and violence are on TV, yet the anti-gay people who want to “shelter” aren’t campaigning against them.
The news of Dumbledore’s homosexuality did sadden me. Because it is now being used to politicize the books. Once again there is a division between the political correct crowd and those who believe homosexuality to be wrong. It does make Dumbledore even more of a tragic figure, and clarifies the theme of unrequitted love. It gives Snape and Dumbledore more of an understanding. JKR as always has style and class.
We all loved Dumbledore because he generously provided a home and love to those who were ostracized by society. He gave Hagrid a home even after he had been expelled, and when children’s parents learned that a half-giant was working at the school, Dumbledore defended him. Likewise, he ensured the safety of Lupin; he planted the Whomping Willow to protect Lupin from others during his “time of the month,” he employed him in the Order of the Phoenix, and yet again, he defended his teacher after parents learned of a non-normal staff member. Dumbledore showed love and respect for all types of living creatures (mermaids, centaurs, muggles and muggle-borns, orphans, and more). Dumbledore even continued to believe that there was good in people when all evidence pointed to the contrary (consider Malfoy). If anything, I believe this revelation about Dumbledore explains a little something his willingness to open his heart.
Can’t we follow Dumbledore’s example? Can’t we love people for the goodness of their soul? Please, let us not become these alarmist parents who dismissed muggle-borns, werewolves, or whatever else for their differences.
Why is this still being debated over?? Why dont we all figure a solution?? All of the true HP fans that believe being predjudice is wrong and dont want bigotry part of a site we love so much tell these bigots to stop coming here and posting. Thats the problem isnt it? If you hate HP now so much and you’ve lost respect in JK and DD and the entire series then GO THEN! Be happy in your close-minded lives where everything you dont agree with you ignore its a part of normal everyday life. Just stop coming here and letting us know how horrible you are! You hate gays and thats the bottom line. Theres no way around it, period.
Typical – everyone jumps on the band wagon. In my opinion innappropriate for a childrens book where sexuality of any kind should not be a consideration.
Did I miss a chapter containing gay exotic literature or are most people over reacting? Anyone who has read the books and still discriminate against race,sexuality or religion has clearly missed the plot,how is it that children understand the plotline that it is wrong to discriminate but their parents dont…Live and let live.JK did not force a life style down anyones throat she simply mentioned that DD is gay and that isn’t even in the books.Sorry to burst the parent’s bubble but most 8 year olds know what sex is and some 10 year olds are having sex,I think that should be adressed rather than a fictional character being gay
Its a sad day when a writer who has made billions from parents who bought her books to wait until the end of the series to announce such a stupid thing. My children know its morally wrong to be gay, and God will judge those people, not us. Yet I cant help that I was very happy to hear my 11 and 9 year old sons say that they would never read Harry Potter again if this is the way she wished to end it. As my oldest son said, that was just stupid for her to say that. I didnt force that opinion on them, they have it all by themselves. Even little kids know she just wanted to make more money, so she created a fuss so the talk of Harry Potter wouldnt fade out. SAD SAD SAD JK.
That’s excellent, Jo!
As shown by the extensive amount of ‘ships from our fan-fictions—we knew at least one was gay!
She is right to say this will spark some fan-fiction.
I feel as though I should reread the books…again… and see if I can pick up on some things. :)
im sure Mallory will have a wonderful time with this though…
-M-B-W
Posted by Muggle-Born-Witch on October 23, 2007, 05:31 PM
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Ok, I was going to stay out of this, but here I go.
To anyone who is wondering why she didn’t write (more) about Dumbledore being gay in the book: IT WASN’T ABOUT HIM!! What, you want a scene where Dumbledore is telling Harry about horcruxes and then goes “And by the way, I’m gay”? If Harry was gay, we would have known, as he was indeed a central character, and not a shadowy puppet master pulling the strings.
And as far as Jo now saying it was an important plot point, only his relationship with someone who turned out to be a bad guy is relevant. The fact that Dumbledore was in love with him only helps that part of the plot make sense. And (again) if she had hinted at him being gay all along, then we would have known immediately what the story was between them.
Sheesh! You’re the same people that like to see a whole movie in a 2 minute trailer.
Please….just some PC crap that someone must have pushed her to. If he were homosexual, why not put it in one of the 7 books to be a inspiration to others? Why not Snape? or Black?
I understand they’re her characters, but this just smacks of PC back-tracking.
He had provided a large tub of fresh flobberworms for the class, and told them that to pass the test, their flobberworm had to still be alive at the end of one hour. As flobberworms flourished best if left to their own devices, it was the easiest exam any
Here’s the thing (and there’s really no getting around it) there are gay people in the world. Whether or not you agree that is the fact. I applaud Jo for writing DD as a gay man. Maybe we can teach our children that being different is not a bad thing. For all those out there who use their religion as an excuse to bash the homosexuals in the world and now Jo for writing about them, let me ask you a question. Don’t you remember the part in the Bible that says “judge not, least ye be judged”? As for writing about it, Jo showed us that a person is not defind by their sexual orientaion. Dumbledor was a great man and taught Harry how to defeat evil. Nothing takes away from that aspect of the book, not even homosexuality.