What was the evidence in the books that Dumbledore was gay?

Question

Did the characters in the story know?

ok then annie what were the 'hints' then

Answer 1

Oh, that's right there was none!

Sensationalism strikes again.

Answer 2

Regarding evidence, what is the evidence that he is not gay?
What I mean is, all this "lack of evidence" stuff is just code for, "Dumbledore does not fit my stereotype of a gay man."

I'm trying not to be rude, but what is it that he should have done, in your opinion? Do you picture lots of hand movements and outre language? That's just not reality.

I have no idea if the characters know. Skeeter may have had an idea.

Answer 3

I don't think there was any overt evidence that Dumbledore was gay. This part of the back story, and up to now know only by JKR.

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. and in any case, this story came out because she was directly asked if Dumbledore loved anyone.

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 Grindelwald 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 4

I never thought of it either. I think it's one of those things..like...if you're a girl and have a girl best friend..spend lots of time together...and are never seen with a boyfriend...there is always that idea in people's heads..."oh..maybe she's gay" . As for Dumbledore, I think alot of the younger readers would've never thought that because they haven't been exposed to such things. But I think in the long run, it's just that most people don't think of elderly people loving someone of the same sex..or anyone for that matter.

Answer 5

There wasn't any obvious evidence. I think J.K. just wanted publicity and created something to grab people's attention. Since the series ended no one has talked about HP or her, what better way to get attention than by making one of the core characters gay?

Answer 6

It's never overtly stated, but there are hints.

The closeness of his relationship to Grindelwald, eagerly agreeing with him, his supreme disappointment when he realised what Grindelwald really was, and his reluctance to challenge or duel him. Also, his lack of any kind of close relationship with a woman.

I don't think it was common knowledge...maybe Grindelwald knew, and used it to manipulate Dumbledore. Maybe others who were close to him, like Elphias Doge, or McGonnagal, or Snape, might have known.

Answer 7

I never got the impression that he was gay.

She says there are "clues" but, in a skim of the books, there is nothing that says 'gay'

Answer 8

the evidence is that the author of the book said so!

Answer 9

He isn't gay

Answer 10

They all knew he was good with his wand.......