I have seen many comments equating Dumbledore's sexuality with pedophilia, and gay DOES NOT equal child molester! Personally, I think that Americans, especially, oversexualize everything. Your thoughts? The most compelling argument gets best answer.
2007-10-21 20:10:33 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
To those of you who are not aware - JK Rowling announced that Dumbledore was gay at an interview, that he had been in love with Grindelwald.
2007-10-21 20:23:18 · update #1
I think this is another publicity stunt. Did she run out of money? such a fact need not whave been said. it doesnt make sense.
TW K
2007-10-22 03:03:55 · answer #1 · answered by TW K 7 · 2⤊ 7⤋
I think that a lot of it is simply denial, people have their own ideas about the characters and hate it when they find out that JKR had different ideas then their's.
In one way it is funny, "How dare the author cross me up". In another way, it is a testament to how well JKR got her readers emotionally involved in the books that it causes such a storm.
Of course, there is more to it then that. For some, they are up in arms because they hated/fear gays and now they have to reconcile their prejudices with the fact that they like, care and even love the character Dumbledore. For others, they weren't that fond of the books, dislike or are envious of JKR's success, and are willing to ascribe unflattering motivations for her saying Dumbledore's gay. An of course that is leaving aside those whose religious beliefs led them to oppose the books anyway.
That there was nothing in the books to indicate his sexual orientation is, I think more than just the fact that it is a J/YA series. Dumbledore is an admirable person who happens to be gay, pretty much in the same way that he has a beard. It was part of his back story and might not ever have come out had a screenwriter not invented a love interest for HBP, the movie.
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
2007-10-22 10:24:55 · answer #2 · answered by WolverLini 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Would you worry if a headmaster (male) sat with a sleeping student (female) alone in the hospital wing?
In books 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6, Dumbledore gets Harry by himself (either in his office, or in the hospital wing) when Harry is emotionally dependant on the headmaster.
I would not like young teenage kids of any gender to be repeatably in that situation.
Rita Skeeter was right when she gave a whole chapter of her book to the "inappropriate relationship between Dumbledore and Harry Potter"
Harry had no evidence that Dumbledore was gay, so I am not suggestion Albus interferred with any student ...
... but, if this series is SOOOO popular with young readers, could they put themselves into similar secluded situatuions thinking they will be as safe as Harry was?
For such a popular series, if JKR wanted to make a token homosexual there, why not Snape and Pettigrew - that would expalin why Peter was in Snapes house for over a year.
2007-10-22 10:59:56 · answer #3 · answered by wizebloke 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I think it bothers a lot of people because there really was no sense in her stating this and opening up a can of worms. She created a fictional character and now that the books are finished she adds this comment. Why? For what purpose? To me it was just plain stupid. What next? Hermione is a lesbian? Harry had a sex change operation? The books are over and done with. Leave it at that.
If she wants to have characters that are gay or whatever start a new series and leave the old one alone.
Oh and by the by, I have nothing against gays. To each his own. Live and let live and all that.
2007-10-22 13:33:28 · answer #4 · answered by lilith663 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Okay, did we read the same books? I never read that Dumbeldore was gay, or even felt that it was implied...
What did I miss? Just because someone never marries doesn't automatically make them gay... Should I have read more in-between the lines... if that is true then maybe it is just a matter of opinion that he is gay.... and/or in-fact not true at all???
EDIT:
Personally, I have nothing against gay people. I just want to know where it says or implies that this character is a homosexual? If he is, then so be it.... I just never read that into the story....
EDIT2:
Okay, since my answer yesterday I have seen the news and Dumbledore is in-fact gay.... he was outed by JK Rowling herself....So, what is the big deal? I'm sure many if not most gay people are upstanding and moral citizens. There is no room for people to be so closed minded in todays society, if anyone has a problem with this revelation they should rethink their position! He was a perfectly capable caretaker and was more of a father figure than anything else.
Honestly, I do feel that this was a revelation that didn't need to be made, people should have been left to make their own conclusions....
2007-10-22 03:17:40 · answer #5 · answered by American Girl 4 · 1⤊ 4⤋
I love this little fact about Dumbledore and in retrospect I believe that it makes perfect sense and fits his character perfectly.
Of course he was in love, what else clouds judgment so much?!
The reason many people are upset about this, is that Harry Potter is directed at a young demographic. There are many who believe that youth should not be exposed to such things as homosexuality; as if shielding them will prevent them from becoming gay. A disgusting misconception. I believe that by Rowling writing Dumbledore to be gay is going to open many minds and spread tolerance and understanding.
This is from an American point of view.
2007-10-22 03:27:07 · answer #6 · answered by Moxie Awesome 2 · 4⤊ 1⤋
I think that you are right on target - many people seem to have the attitude that being gay somehow should disqualify you from being around children, as though gay people are incapable of controlling their raging hormones, even around young children.
I would say that it stems not only from the oversexualization of life in general, but from homophobia in its classic sense. Many of the people making these comments genuinely do not believe that they are prejudiced. Somewhere in their subconscious (or conscious) mind, the concept of homosexuality is a daunting one, either because it is foreign, or because it is something they relate to more than they'd like to admit to themselves. The result is then this sort of revulsion that is totally illogical (and offensive).
It does get to me. I find myself rolling my eyes as one person after the next makes these comments and then is totally "shocked" that people find them to be bigots. I guess the moral is that we should never stop questioning our attitudes and assumptions - as much as I'd like to claim that I've never judged someone unfairly, I'm sure I've done it too.
2007-10-22 03:30:56 · answer #7 · answered by Cat 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The problem is many Americans are homophobic, and as a result think of gays as bad people, and therefore likely a pedophile.
2007-10-22 03:18:41 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I don't see what the big deal is.
2007-10-24 11:57:20 · answer #9 · answered by Preeminent 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋