Dumbledore gay...what do you think?

Question

JK recently outed dumbledore, dont belive me? read it for yourself here
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071020/ap_on_en_ot/books_harry_potter
i just want to know what you think, im sure alot of parents are gonna be pissed about this, but come on, shes made so many kids happy with her books, how would this be a wrong decision? there are gays in the world, and kids that are old enough to read are old enough to understand "gay", im sure....he was such a great mentor and father figure for harry, so why would this be a bad thing for readers to know? i own all the books, and frankly, i think its kind of funny, i mean, im sure she knew from the first book he was gay, cause she made him! what do you think?

Answer 1

Why not? I think it is wonderful to have such diversity in life; people are human first, (certain type of) lovers second. Even if Dumbledore represents a fictional character, his sexuality would not matter in the grand scheme of things. There are good people, and there are bad people, and there are in-between people. Has nothing to do with your sexual preference.

I have many gay friends, and I applaud Ms. Rowling for her progressive thinking.

Answer 2

I agree with the author whose link I posted below. Although I do not agree with homosexuality (just an honest person) neither do I agree someone should be persecuted for having feelings that are innate to them. I do not think his being gay has any relevance as there are really no sexual references in her books. There was therefore no need to "out" Dumbledore. Most of the characters are "A" sexual. The first time I saw anything relating to relationships was in "Order of the phoenix" when Harry P. was kissed. Other than that there are no overt references and no references, that I have noted, on a subconscious level to sex, awareness of sexual feelings and/or sexuality. If it had relevance than I would be like cool than kids who are gay can feel a connection. But as it were, all kids can feel a connection with Harry Potter as its not about sexual relationships and/or adult relationships for that matter, other than parenting, mentoring, and the like.

My son will still be reading the books and seeing the Harry Potter movies.

Answer 3

I can't see any harm in this, even if they make the next 10 harry potter movies when was the last harry potter movie about the teachers having relationships or even any close persoanl contact. Perhaps this is the Authors way of saying I am done making movies, or perhaps it was a media leak to see the response for a new charactor. Even if the master Wizard is wearing high heals and prancing around like a fairy, I go to watch the great CGI and Plots that have been so very well thought out in the first 4.
So anyone can make a rush in decision on the great wizard, But what does it really have to do with Harry Potter? Nothing!
And just to touch a bit on the parents issue, Well lets say this, if they suddenly decide to hold their children back from seeing any future movies or reading any more Harry Potter Books, then they are ignorant, that fact that they let their children play and watch gay Teletubbies, See Family Guy and South park on TV, or for that matter let them participate in sex education at school because of their own fears about telling their children the truth. Well you can know see the kind of parents that are raising our next generation of government on society. I don't want to see that.

Answer 4

I believe that it was part of her charactorization, and thats fine. Its her character and she can decide how he should be. there is nothing wrong about being homosexual and if dumbledore in her mind is gay, so be it. He's still a brilliantly developed character and a great part of the books.

For all those people who ask " Why Now" , it simply came out in an interview of something like that, it wasnt a publicity stunt, it was merely a fact and i dont understand why people are upset, being gay doesnt change dumbledores personality or who he is.

Answer 5

I thought it was funny at first, but in another interview, Rowling said that Dumbledore was her character and that she could do wahtever she wanted with him and that there's been plenty of successful men who have seeked the attraction of other men.

I don't think the parents might be that mad, Rowling's work has already gone past small children to teens as Harry grows up and the story touches on romance and even a bit of censored swearing, etc. For example:
"I'll jinx your fingers together if I see you do that again." (Mrs. Weasley, OotP in the twins joke shop)
'He said something that made Hermione say, "Ron!"'
And then there's that bit of swearing in the last book with Mrs. Weasley and Bellatrix Lestrange.

Answer 6

As a writer,when you create a character,when give that person their own quirks and habits,it is hard to change it and let it go.I am sure that when she first created Dumbledore,she probally thought ,''No,I had better change this.'',but then it probally felt wrong when she did.Being gay does not atomatically mean pedophile,as their are a great many straight pedophiles out there .Why do people have to go back and look for hidden meaning in the books?Dumbledore is Dumbledodre.When she said he was gay,our first thoughts was ,sex,sex,sex.Why can,t he simply be a man who fell in love with the wrong person....like so many of us.

Answer 7

Honestly , I do not see what all the news is making such a fuss over. Im a parent and I have no problem with my kids reading the harry potter books cause of this. So hes gay ... Not a big deal. Honestly Good for Dumbledore!!!!

Answer 8

My only problem with it is that Harry Potter fans have heard so much crap from the fundamentalists about how the books are promoting satanism, and turning your kids toward witchcraft and wizardry (give me a break)...and this completely unnecessary revelation is only going to stir them up again.

Also...why does a kid who would be reading this book...CARE about Dumbledore's lifestyle? I think this series of books is fantastic and Rowling is brilliant. Kids now NEED a hero, and a fantasy world to play in because reality is in their faces every day. It almost cheapens the whole 'magical' quality of the books...to reveal something so 'politically correct'...to 13 year olds! It has no bearing on the books or stories whatsoever. If you have to point it out (after writing what...8 books?).., then it's apparently not important to the stories and revealing it now, has NOTHING to do with making the world a better place. It will cause religious fanatics to attempt to ban the books from schools again and quite possibly compromise the fan's opinion of Rowlings integrity.


Dumbledore is a great character and will remain so. I just feel for the kids who's parents will now ban them from reading it, all because she felt the need to do this. Just look at how the fundies had such a hayday with Sponge Bob and Patrick. BOTH are A-Sexual creatures, but some preacher just HAD to call them gay, and tell the 'flock' to ban them from their children's lives. How stupid adults can be.

Answer 9

Okay first of all, I think that gayness should be accepted by society and that should mean that children should be able to know about gayness. It's not like anything's wrong about gayness for children to know about.

Now on the JK Rowling thing, I don't think she gives any evidence in the books that Dumbledore's gay. ANd if so, like maybe tiny little hints that no one would understand unless you read it like a bible. So I think it's stupid that she's sticking a "gay" label on to Dumbledore randomly. I mean if you wanna make him gay, at least make him gay in the book.

But overall, I don't think she portrayed Dumbledore as a gay person, and besides, I really didn't think that would have made much impact on the novel anyways.

Answer 10

OK so you have a baby the kid turn 12 and says mom I'm gay ...did you know he was gay...you created him....i think its just a new development when writing series like that you always have to come up with some thing new being gay is very controversial so trying it on a character that's on The sideline is a better option thinking about it jk's books have been kinof pushing it from the begining alot of parents wouldnt let their kids read of "such evil things as witch craft and wizardy" i think shes got ahold of the bull by the horns and isnt letting go yeah somparents will be mad but it didnt hurt her sales before be sides i think being gay is a personal preferance that any one has the right to chose you can easly look at some one on the street and say thats a horible person because hes gay but what if your own child came to you and told you the same thing ...just my thoughts