I saw on TV yesterday that J.K. Rowling has announced that Albus Dumbledore is gay. I thought that was?

Question

kind of silly as it had nothing to do with the plot. What do you guys think?

Answer 1

I'm so tired of people thinking that gay = pedophile. Do people not use their brains at all?

I'm glad that she's using the intense popularity of these books as a way to make people more tolerant. By some of the answers I've seen regarding Dumbledore on here the past couple of days, it is obvious that there are too many narrow-minded bigots out there.

A gay friend of mine showed me a shirt the other day that says: Will God Judge Me For Loving, Or You For Hating?

Think about that, fundamentalist Christians.

Answer 2

I don't think that JKR has an agenda,or is seeking more publicity. According to the story I read, she had told the writer of the screenplay for HBP that Dumbledore was gay because there was mention of a female love interest in the screenplay and she had to set them right. Having done that, she might as well have made it public, since it would have eventually come out anyway--she could control when and how it was done.

Throughout the series, we know Dumbledore as a tireless and seemingly single-minded fighter against Dark Wizards (at least from Harry's perspective; we do have to remember that Albus is also a great teacher, an alchemist, and important theoretical Wizard--remember the tools and instruments he made himself). But how did Albus become that way?

We learn much about this in DH, with Arianna's story, Aberforth's story and the story of the friendship between Dumbledore and Gellert Grindelwald. In reading DH, it was clear that Grndelwald seduced Dumbledore on a number of levels; intellectually, ideologically, and, by JKR's new revelation, emotionally. We don't know if that seduction was sexual as well, and I'm not sure it is important for us to know.

The revelation completes the picture for us of a man who felt betrayed, injured by one he loved, ashamed at how far he went from rational thought and behavior, how far he really was from what he thought he was.

The up shot is that we now know more completely Dumbledore's motivations for fighting Dark Wizards--his shame at his own tangential contribution to Grindelwald's career, his reluctance to fight him, and, when Voldemort rose, his determination to not to repeat his prior mistake of inaction and to fight Voldemort from the start.

So in summery, It was part of the way JKR viewed Dumbledore and understood him. I don't think it was something that would have come out voluntarily--more likely something that would have made a scholarly article 50 or 60 years from now after she was gone and literary scholar had access to her full notes (assuming she left them to be investigated).

BTW, there is some inkling of this in DH, where Rita Skeeter talks about devoting a chapter in her book about Dumbledore to the Dumbledore/Harry relationship. This is not to say that there was anything improper--but that JKR did put out a hint.

wl

Answer 3

First, I should say that I thoroughly enjoyed the Harry Potter books. But I find it interesting that people who have no objection to their children reading some pretty violent and scary stories are freaking out because the author mentioned a character was gay. Anyone who is old enough to read Harry Potter is not living in a vacuum. Ten percent of our population across the board is gay. Inuits, Aborigines, Scots, Southerns and, apparently, wizards. Children who will grow up to be gay read Harry Potter. They have gay teachers and parents and grandparents and aunts and uncles. Gays and lesbians have long been vilified in the media - how nice to have someone we like and respect be outed.

Answer 4

I think it's great.

The books are all about tolerance, and Dumbledore proves that sexuality doesn't stop people from being successful, intelligent, kind, wise, etc.

Dumbledore is a well-rounded character, not just a caricature of a gay man.

The Harry Potter books are about love, in all its forms, and I find it devastatingly ironic that the main voice in favour of love lived his entire life in the shadow of his unrequited love for a man he would later be forced to defeat. Just as Snape led to Lily's downfall, Dumbledore led to Grindelwald's...we hurt the people we love (Snape out of ignorance of who it would affect, and Dumbledore out of duty to the community).

It's not really to do with the plot, but it does give some insight into why Dumbledore was hesitant to challenge Grindelwald - it wasn't weakness, but love, that stopped him from defeating the other man.

Also, J K Rowling didn't just come out and say it. She was asked specifically if Dumbledore ever found true love, and she told the true back story that she had in her mind.

Answer 5

I totally agree with Pansy Parkinson.

Kids (or adults) who read these books are reading about people blasting peoples ears off, committing murder, massacres, torturing, being bullied, being psychopaths and god knows what else.

As for people who say she's desperate for more media. Why? She hates the media and doesn't come on tv much. And a kid at a show asked her a question and she answered it truthfully. so she should. Besides she didnt go, DUMBLEDORE IS GAY. she said "ive always thought of dumbledore as gay" its a book. with that detail missed out. choose to let your imagination see past it if you want.

It sickens me to think of all you people calling JK a media hungry publicity hunter. She was a struggling single mum who wrote a book series which turned out to be one of the most successful ever. she didnt ask for it, and if someone wants to ask a question about her characters and she answers it with the truth good on her. why would someone ask a question about something which is in the book. they are there to find out more, and they did.

Does it really matter that one person is gay.
would you be more disturbed that your child's favorite book series has a gay character or that it has torture, murder and corpses being brought to life?

Think about it.

I think its ridiculous and i fully support J.K for telling us this. The media have just blown it completely out of proportion!

Face it, we would've found out in the encyclopedia anyway.

:D

x

Answer 6

In my opinion it is because she just needs the attention of the readers sh ejust feels that she will be forgotten though Harry Potter will remain famous. Tsk I used to be a fan until today she has come so low why? She used to be clever. I mean I have nothing against gay people nor gay couples and I completely understand her urge to be rebelous but omg children are also reading that book. There is also the fact that even adults felt that Albus was the manly figure of the book who helped everyone and now it is all ruined. Think about that she said that she was just making things clear aout the Harry Potter books.... making things clear????? What is trying to sell? When most undersood that Albus was straight and nothing mentioned in that book could mean that he was gay. Tsk and t think that I thought and I was actually sure about it that Albus Dumbledore had a relationship with Minerva McGonagall and maybe they were even married. Anyway I think she just needs attention and she said herself that she wanted to provoke christians even more(she claims that she had already provoked them as she was accused of promoting, dunno if this is the right word anyway, witchcraft). She just ruined a small piece of the world that she created not by saying Albus Dumbledore was gay but also by saying that it was supposed to be clear to every reader. I think that she needs DESPERATELY THE ATTENTION OF THE READERS AND THE PRESS.

Answer 7

I have no problem with it at all. I think its cool that she's making it more realistic. And like other people said, if you're okay with your kids reading about deaths and people being blown up then whats the problem with ONE gay character? It isnt even a big deal its just who he is. And it really does help you understand your past better. And people are saying that she did it for attention...are you kidding me? She doesnt need attention...if you hadnt noticed she is one of the most known people in the WORLD, shes not trying to get more press! Shes just telling her readers the truth, along with other cool tidbits. I think its great and its stupid that people have a problem with it. I dont think it takes away the innocence at all.

Answer 8

No, I don't think that's silly.It's just the personality of the character. It totally suits him. Plus, it explains a lot of stuf like him not being married, not having any histories with women.
I think it's great. And there are a lot of things in a good story that don't have anything to do with the plot. That's what makes it a good story.

Answer 9

It's in keeping wth the contemporary and tolerant tone of the books. It is only fitting that one of the lead characters, if not muggle-born, half-giant or werewolf is gay. The books are all about letting go of prejudices and accepting people for the choices they make.

Answer 10

It doesn't matter at all.

I think it justifies Dumbledore joining in with Grindlewald's anti-muggle institution.

He was in love with Grindlewald! When your true love tells you muggles are awful and should be destroyed AND muggles abused your sister (raped her!) you're going to side with them. Love blinds you.


I think it was another brilliant decision on JKR's part.



And I'd like everyone to get their facts straight. She was directly asked if Dumbledore had ever fallen in love so she was forced to reveal the truth.

She didn't just randomnly decide to do it. She was asked.