Do you think this impact will be good or bad? Why?
2007-10-20 14:44:54 · 28 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender
I am hoping it will have a positive impact. A generation of children have loved Dumbledore, and hopefully their positive experience with the character will make his sexuality irrelevant. These children will grow up to be more tolerant adults.
Granted, my children are very open-minded and tolerant, but when they "heard the news," it was of no consequence to them. As my 13-year old son said, "Yeah, so what? He's a cool wizard." That is how my children have seen Dumbledore, and will continue to; as a 'cool wizard,' not as a [insert derogatory term of your choice].
Personally, I feel that when the intolerant and the homo-phobic STOP seeing homosexuals in terms of how they engage in sex, and instead, in terms of who they are, the depth of their character, and their contribution to society simply as individual human beings, we will all be better off.
Expect an uproar from the moral right, but even they cannot stop all their children from loving, admiring, and respecting Dumbledore.
2007-10-20 14:59:55 · answer #1 · answered by Lady S 5 · 5⤊ 1⤋
I think the impact will be good but it won't be a very prevalent one. At most I think it may open the minds of some of the older readers who look up to the fictional role model. I don't think the impact could be bad... or at least any worse as the people who would claim the outing boasts a "homosexual" agenda are the same people who thought the books and movies promote witch craft...
2007-10-20 14:52:45 · answer #2 · answered by Whatev' Yo' 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It may. And their are plenty of resons why, the impact will be good in the way that it demonstates to homophobic people that the wise Dumbledore charcter that they have grown to love and respect is a human being who deserves to be loved and respected just as he was before we found out about his sexuality. The positive impact will most certainly be that people will even for a minute burst of time question and challenge their beliefs or prejudices and ask.. "is my stance for or against gay people?" But more importantly, it will demonstrate how gay people exist everywhere, in all walks of life and sexuality is not a basis for which a person may be judged.
Looking from a negative perspective, yes of course Christian churches may resent the book further.. stating it may be a negative influence on its readers.. but those people who are Christian and believe in the essential ideology that "God loves everyone" and that his love is "unconditional", may just consider that gay people have the right to be respected just as much as any other person on this planet.
I belive by far the most important point to make is the innocent, unprejudiced and loving minds of children. They will continue to love the books, and continue to love the character Dumbeldore even knowing that he is gay.. it is irrelevant to them, sexuality plays no role in how worthy a person is of respect and children who read the books know that, even without it being taught to them.
2007-10-20 15:02:21 · answer #3 · answered by Kuy 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I hope it will have the most positive effect on children. Adults will be pretty much set in how they think, so this revelation will not be as profound as with children. Which is not to say that I think children are malleable and can be pushed into thinking a particular way only. Far from it.
But when kids (especially those who are coming into their own sexuality-wise) can imagine a world where one isn't judged by a flimsy criterion as orientation, but instead, feel free to be themselves because they know that what you believe and how you act is the best way to ever judge someone's character, then Dumbledore's outing can only help.
Lady S, I am in awe that you are raising your kids in a way that allows them to think freely, especially in these turbulent times (and the turbelence unwittingly caused by religious extremism) I hope and pray that your tribe increases.
2007-10-20 15:12:16 · answer #4 · answered by Joeyboy 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Most people that are against homosexuality are religious. These people dont even believe in science. How would a fictional book change their ideas, when evidence cant even do it. It will probably have a good effect on the younger generation though. They will (hopefully) see that there are a lot of good people who are gay, and will make them more open-minded in general as they grow up. It all depends on how crazy their parents are though, and how much garbage they fill it with, until the damage is irreversible.
2007-10-20 14:57:55 · answer #5 · answered by BC's bud 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Its a fictional character, coming from the mind of the writer, so if anyone would take it that seriously as to impact their views, well thats just silly, and means they dont have a mind of their own.Now, I dont care what someones sexual orientation is, but i made that decision from my own mind, not because of some insanely rich writer. So i think their will be no impact among adults, as far as children, i dont think they really care, its so common, now with kids who have gay parents, all kinds of celebrities are gay, nothing seems to shock kids, so why would it be a big deal if a book character is?I do however think that it will like the writer said, piss the christians off even more who already had it out for the potter books.
2007-10-20 14:56:00 · answer #6 · answered by ♥mama♥ 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Since Dumbledore is made up it shouldn't have any impact. I am impressed that he finally came out of the closet.
2007-10-20 14:48:01 · answer #7 · answered by robee 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Immediately, I doubt it. But given how beloved a character he is to so many children, it might have a subtle impact over time. If nothing else, having millions of people with strong childhood memories of a favorite character who was a wise, elderly, ethical and heroic gay man sure as hell can't be a bad thing.
2007-10-20 16:34:30 · answer #8 · answered by Mike 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I wish she would have put it in the last two books, it would have locked readers in. And would have a greater impact.
I just fear the stereotype of homosexuals being pedophiles will rise even higher with this, because of the time Dumbledore spent with Harry.
2007-10-20 15:23:20 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Personally, I found NOTHING that pointed to Dumbledore being gay in any of the 7 books. I think Rowling is just doing this to keep herself in the spotlight. =/
Hopefully, the impact will be good, but I really don't think it's going to do anything.
2007-10-20 14:49:15 · answer #10 · answered by Jay 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋