OMG! Dumbledore is GAY?!?

[toys2cool]

I liked it better when story book characters were Asexual..Why does sexual preference , straight or gay, even have to be involved in books for kids.

I think you pretty much nailed How I feel about the thing man

[Bizarro Amy]

Honestly, Dumbledore's sexual orientation doesn't make a difference to me either way. However, if JK Rowling wrote it into the storyline, it would have made a difference in the way people saw Dumbledore. Sadly, it would just have given people more to protest - Not only was the school teaching kids about magic, but the headmaster was GAY! I can already imagine the jokes that would have been made about him and Harry. I like the idea that his sexuality was not made an issue in the books, although it was part of his backstory. There was really no reason to mention his orientation, because it would seem that very few characters in his life would have known or discussed it. No one seemed to understandy the quick, intense friendship between Albus and Grindelwald. A young man wouldn't necessarily go around telling everyone when he had feelings for another man. I think it's an interesting addition to Dumbledore's history, and I'm eternally grateful that he was created by a writer who is skilled enough to tell stories without resorting to stereotypes.

P.S."Prof. Snape hasn't had a love interest in any of the films...should we read between the lines and conjure up a theory or two."
He sort of did, at one point. If you didn't pick up on it yet, read the last book. You'll understand what I mean. Please, don't anyone put spoilers in this thread!

[Vortigern99]

Someone not seeming to have a love interest and being asexual equals being gay? I'm pretty sure that homosexuality and asexuality are completely different things.

Ahem. What I meant is that in the books, Rowling avoids the issue of Dumbledore's past loves or companions, while nearly every other character of importance has some mention of a partner of some sort: wife, husband, girlfriend, etc. Dumbledore is a major character, especially in the last two books, both of which explore his past -- and there is not a single mention of a romantic link in any of it.

I did not mean that asexuality equals homosexuality, but in my own experience I have known gay men who, afraid to come out, chose to present themselves publicly as though they had no interest in either sex. Rowling seems to have taken that tact here with Dumbledore.

All that said, the revelation does deepen a reader's understanding of Dumbledore's relationship with a certain wizard ('GG') in his youth. It is not an essential plot point, but it does strengthen D's characterization, and casts light on certain choices he made when he was a young man.

PS What del said, above! :-)

[dumbldor]

Dumbledore was already a character worthy of respect before this announcement, right? It shouldn't change anything, but Rowling knows that people will rethink the character now, this time filtered through their prejudices and phobias. For some, it'll change their level of acceptance of gay characters, whether positively or negatively. It's sensationalism at its worst because it will do as much harm as good. I'm sure it will sell more copies of the books.

I understand your point about positive role models, but Dumbledore isn't sexually active in any of the books, so the question of his sexual orientation seems to be entirely moot at this point. If you can't tell he's gay when you read the books, what's the point of making this announcement now, other than, as Russ said, to keep Rowling in the spotlight? When the buzz over this dies down, will she announce that Harry Potter hates muslims, or that Hermione agrees with Bush's foreign policy? Will Austin continue to keep us informed about Rowling's announcements after the opportunities to take cheap shots at Dan have passed?

Daremo is Paul, right, not Austin, and why would either of them want to take a cheap shot at me? OK, Paul, you keep that up and I will have to challenge you in the Arcade! Or I will come by your house and... and... probably take you out for a beer. So there!

I am obviously a big Harry Potter fan, and I am probably as close to an expert on the subject as you could find here. I agree with many of the thoughts in this thread:

a. I don't see any need to add any depth to a character after the series has been completed. If it were any important element of the story, she should have worked it into the story at some point. Book 7 would have been a natural place for it. As for the potential backlash from right wingers, why would she care? The series would have been done at that point, and she has taken a lot of heat anyway for introducing 'magic' to kids.

b. I also agree that anything verbalized by the author that is not actually in the books is not canon and is therefore completely moot. I applaud her for the diversity of characters in her books, but anything new she throws out there now is irrelevant unless she is going to publish more books in which these revelations are included.

c. Although her initial target audience may not have been children, by book 7 (and after the series has been completely published) she should understand that a LARGE portion of her audience are under the age of 12 and that the books were and are still marketed to children. Sexual orientation or preferences really have no place in children's books IMO.

d. It remains to be seen how this announcement will change the views of her fans. I can only speak for myself that I still love that big gay wizard headmaster!

[ABMAC]

Daremo is Paul, right, not Austin, and why would either of them want to take a cheap shot at me? OK, Paul, you keep that up and I will have to challenge you in the Arcade! Or I will come by your house and... and... probably take you out for a beer. So there!

Daremo is Paul, except when Austin logs in to his account.

Paul, change your password. If Austin logs in to your account again, I'll suspend both of you.

[dumbldor]

My goodness, how jealousy brings out the worst in people. I am so hurt. NOT!

[dumbldor]

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[Adam West]

There are a lot of good discussions on the subject. I just saw this article and thought it was interesting that almost the same points mentioned on this thread are in the article

http://www.abcnews.go.com/Entertainm...3762036&page=1

The article has a good point. The books are written basically from Harry Potter's perspective and kids don't go around thinking about their teachers' sexual orientation.

I readily admit that I am conservative in my political leanings and am a Christian but even I think the Christian Coalition is a bit off its rocker. My kids have seen every movie and are allowed to read every book and I encourage it. As far as this latest revelation, my kids don't even know, nor would they care.

[Vortigern99]

I also agree that anything verbalized by the author that is not actually in the books is not canon and is therefore completely moot. I applaud her for the diversity of characters in her books, but anything new she throws out there now is irrelevant unless she is going to publish more books in which these revelations are included.

Dumbldor, don't you think Rowling's revelation casts light on Albus' motivations for siding with Grimwald in their youth? And since a 'monstrous encyclopedia' of the Potterverse is forthcoming, that perhaps it's best to prepare the public for this controversial element of said compendium?

[dumbldor]

If it ends up in a compendium, then I would consider it canon. If her intention was to prepare the public for it, then it may prove to be a good move on her part.

With how book 7 is written, my opinion is that there is nothing there that would lead someone to believe that Albus' attraction to Grindelwald was a man-crush. It could 'fit' the story, but it never crossed my mind.

[Wee67]

You know, there are millions of background facts good writers use as backstory that never make it into storylines. Usually because they have nothing to do with the particular plot or do not develop the character in a way that forwards the theme or storyline.

Perhaps this was simply the way Rowling created Dumbledore in her world and that was it. This may not be something juast to generate publicity. I don't think the series really needs (nor the merchandising this particualr type).

BTW, Dan, I love the fact that you changed your tagline. You truly are a Potter fan!

[Daremo]

Daremo is Paul, except when Austin logs in to his account.

Paul, change your password. If Austin logs in to your account again, I'll suspend both of you.

Why is it that this post has to be involved in some grand conspiracy theory?

I was over at Austin's house on Saturday, as he is a friend, and I do visit his house from time to time. I was using his computer when I saw the news about the CHARACTER in the book, and checked to see if anyone here mentioned it yet. Knowing there are a lot of Harry Potter fans on the board, I decided to post the link to the article! How the hell was this a dig at Dan? I do not know Dan, I have NO ISSUES with Dan, and there was absolutely ZERO malicious intent, or a cheap dig at anyone!

A personal message or email next time, asking about intent, before jumping to conclusions might be a good idea, to avoid something, unjustified, and WRONG. I actually had to go back and re-read your post where you mention Dan and Austin in the first place. I would have contacted you about it to begin with if I saw it.

Dan, seriously, this was not aimed at you in any way, and I never even thought of the connection until it was mentioned early on by someone else. I even responded in this thread a couple times ON TOPIC. This entire thing has been invented by someone else, causing you to attack someone who is being wrongly accused. I have nothing to do with your past encounters, they don't involve me, and I certainly am not the kind of person to insert myself into a situation to cause trouble for a friend, and someone I don't know at all. Austin has nothing to do with this, other then me posting on his computer. Perhaps edit your posts out of fairness?

I guess this is what I get fro trying to post a topic I felt many here would respond to, and create a decent conversation.

[dumbldor]

Paul, thank you for the explanation. I was hoping that this was the explanation. I will edit my posts.

Just one more thing you might want to clarify, though, Paul. I have been told that the mods changed the title of the thread from 'OMG! Dumbldor is GAY?!?' to 'OMG! Dumbledore is GAY?!?'. Any reason that you spelled Dumbledore: 'Dumbldor'?

Maybe I will see you around Lyons sometime. Cheers, Paul.

[Daremo]

Paul, thank you for the explanation. I was hoping that this was the explanation. I will edit my posts.

Just one more thing you might want to clarify, though, Paul. I have been told that the mods changed the title of the thread from 'OMG! Dumbldor is GAY?!?' to 'OMG! Dumbledore is GAY?!?'. Any reason that you spelled Dumbledore: 'Dumbldor'?

Maybe I will see you around Lyons sometime. Cheers, Paul.

Honestly? I'm a fan of the movies, and have not read the books. I didn't even realize it was spelled with an "e" until just now. The only spelling I'm used to seeing is your name on the boards, and I though it was the correct spelling. Sounds like a lame reason, but it's the truth!

[dumbldor]

Paul, thanks for clearing this up.