What do you think about Dumbledore being gay?

Question

Do you think that J.K. Rowling should have said anything about this or should she have just kept that to herself since the series is over?

for people that know anything about harry potter

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 think it's wonderful.

J.K. Rowling wanted to try and make the world a better place. Take a series like Harry Potter, one of the most popular series' ever. Think of all the people who have read it, and loved it. Now, add in the prospect of a gay man, which many people liked as a character in the book.

Now, look at that. What do we have?
Great series that homophobes loved, then the author makes someone in the book gay. People have no choice but to accept that a character in their favourite series is gay, and they still love it.

Hopefully that will change some minds about homosexuality. I am very impressed with J.K. Rowling, even though this could impede the sales of her books, she still did it.

Answer 3

It wasn't that shocking to me. I kind of knew it, but wasn't for sure. You could tell by the way the letters to Gellert Grindelwald that he had an interest in him and there was real no connection or relationship with female characters that was evident. He was in love with Gellert Grindelwald, as many articles and Rowling say. But i don't think she should have kept that a secret because I wondered about it for a long time.

Answer 4

A big fat mistake. Totally disgusting and disillusioning. Now I must warn all kids away from the Harry Potter series and educate children on the psychosis of homosexuality. I must warn people against seeing any more Harry Potter movies.

Obviously there was a hidden homosexual agenda running throughout the Harry Potter series which J.K. Rowling should have disclosed at least by the third book. Shame on her.

Answer 5

It had nothing to do with the book. The character is fiction, the book is fiction (sorry to bring the bad news, but the series is fiction!) Rowling never made it a point in the book.

Answer 6

I think J.K.Rowling is having a good laugh at all the commotion she caused with one remark. It's amazing and
a little bizarre how many people actually care about the sexual orientation of a fictional character.

Answer 7

I thought everyone in Harry Potter was gay? my bad

Answer 8

I was surprised - but I can accept it. It would have come out in the encyclopedia she's gonna write in any case.

It's kinda ironical - fans clamor for back stories of all characters, and when they get them, some of them can't handle it.

Answer 9

What an interesting question! Wow! I wondered if anyone would ever bring it up!

Now - Dumbledore is gay???? OMG - are you kidding???? Shocking, just shocking!

Answer 10

She should have left well enough alone