Dumbledore? Gay?

Question

what?

how come he is gay? its HARRY POTTER PEOPLE

Answer 1

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. 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 scholars 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 2

I was shocked at first, because it is soo ironic that he would be gay. I'd have to say tho, good thing JK didn't reveal this in the book because many fans might not have loved him as much. Now that i know, im supprised that it doesnt change the fact that i still love him and that he is my favourite character from the books (along with snape:P).

I think i know why this has shocked us a lot. Harry Potter is such a distant story from the real world, although you may relate to it...Harry Potter is far greater than our world. When JK announced that Dumbledore was gay, this pulled some of the readers to realise that actual Harry Potter Series is part of this world and was made from our world. It showed the readers that even the greatest of stories began here....in our boring old world.

The real question is...what signafigance does it make to make dumbledore gay? What was JK's meaning?

thoose are my thoughts =)

In memory of dumbledore, snape, and dobby.(F)R.i.p.

Answer 3

Maybe it wasn't a publicity stunt, but I think it was unnecessary. Sexual orientation of any kind was not touched upon at all in those books, and it's silly to state it afterwards like she's this revealing this great secret. It's even sillier to hail her as a champion of gay-rights.

Future generations aren't going to go, "Oh my gosh, Professor Dumbledore is gay, so I'm not prejudiced any more."
Future generations aren't going to KNOW he's gay unless they read JK's speech.

The point I'm making is that Dumbledore only exists in the Harry Potter books. If J.K. didn't put anything about him being gay in the books, then to my mind, he isn't gay.

Also..um, accusing someone of homophobia just because they think that a fictional character shouldn't be gay is kinda silly, my politically correct friends.

Answer 4

Ok for everyone who didn't know... the writer of "Harry Potter" announce that Dumbledore was Gay. Why she did this after the series is done I have no Idea, maybe it was to appeal to the gay community or something but ether way its all a load of rubbish. Maybe in time She will explain why she so suddenly announced such a crazy thing.

Answer 5

It's true, and it's NOT a publicity stunt.

No one's ever bothered to ask her, so she never gave a direct answer. And personally I don't blame her for not saying it sooner. Tons of people hate the books already because of the witchcraft, and a touch of homosexuality would be the icing on their cake.

She annouced it earlier this week, Saturday I think, while she was in New York for a reading and to sign books. It was her third and final stop in the states, the first being LA, and the second New Orleans for school children.

A girl from the audience asked her about Dumbledore's past relationships and such, because a women in one part of one of the books showed an interest in him. That's when JKRowling said Dumbledore was gay.

Dumbledore was in love with a one of his equals, Dark Wizard Grindelwald before he became a known "dark wizard". Both of them were working on a wizards are superior thing, when Dumbledore finally realized that what they were doing was wrong. (There's much, much more depth to it though, you'd have to read the books to understand, or if you do, you know.) An example of how love can blind and make us follow and chase the wrong dreams.

I support Dumbledore's being gay. He's always seemed that way to me.

Answer 6

It was a surprise to me. I mean, everyone knows that Harry is gay, but Dumbledore being gay was a complete surprise.

Answer 7

I heard rumors about other characters also coming out of the closet. Amongst other:
* Barney the dinosaur
* Batman's Robin
* Jimmy Neutron
* South Parks's Butters

Rhumor said that the purple Teletubbies would have opened the door (of the closet) for other to come out.

Answer 8

I don't think it's a publicity stunt. She didn't say anything before, because it really doesn't pertain to the books. She told because someone asked, so she answered.
Does it matter? The character still plays the same role in the series as he did before.

Answer 9

Yeah, I know. I thought it was a joke when I first heard it, but it's true. Check this link out. It'll show you the article I don't know what Rowling's thinking...

http://www.thedenverchannel.com/entertainment/14384149/detail.html?rss=den&psp=irresistible

Answer 10

He's Rowling's character. She created him, she can make him anything she wants. By the way, so what if the character IS gay?