OMG! Dumbledore is GAY?!?

[Vortigern99]

Since we're currently in the business of explaining our posts: Daremo, I failed to realize that your initial post was meant to be sarcastic and/or humorous. I had a knee-jerk response to what seemed like anti-gay rhetoric ('OMG!'; 'SHOCKED!'), for which, having now been made to understand the irony involved, I heartily apologize.

Signed, 'Mr. Serious Pants'

[Daremo]

Since we're currently in the business of explaining our posts: Daremo, I failed to realize that your initial post was meant to be sarcastic and/or humorous. I had a knee-jerk response to what seemed like anti-gay rhetoric ('OMG!'; 'SHOCKED!'), for which, having now been made to understand the irony involved, I heartily apologize.

Signed, 'Mr. Serious Pants'

It was my fault. I need to remember the emoticons!

Like I said, I know the series is huge and popular, but I can't believe this makes front page news, and stirs up controversy. It's 2007, and I think gay relationships are more openly accepted today, more then ever (even though there is a long way to go) I'm just not sure what the motive was behind releasing this information now. It has to be some sort of marketing scheme, but I guess I just don't get why.

[danadoll]

Hmmm...I don't have a problem with Dumbledore's sexual preferrence.

As for folks saying they like their story book characters asexual, guess what....You're all missing something...The fact that almost everyone of them throughout history is portrayed as heterosexual! Were Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, The Little Mermaid and any other storybook lass and their respective princes living "happily ever after" together, all asexual? Something to think about.

Dana

[Chris DVM]

Hey,
To me, it's not the fact that she wrote him as gay, but that it has come out now that the series is over, as an afterthought almost. Like many have said, I could care less what his preferences are. But now that the last words have been written, what is the point of bringing it up?
Does it really forward the books? Not really. Does it help to wrap up any loose ends? Not really. Does it enhance or change the way people will read the books? Maybe, but I dought it seriously.
So then why? It is her perogative to do anything she wants with the characters, before or after. However, she knows that this will probably alienate more people to her books than will make fans. Why then do this as an afterthought?
Regardless of the reasons, it doesn't change anything about the books with me. They are a fantastic read and I plan on enjoying them with my kids as they grow up.
Chris DVM

[johnmiic]

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 agree with Anthony on this point except that rather than sell more books accross america copies of Harry Potter books will be removed from library & bookstore shelves and burned/banned. When the series first became popular many Christians in the USA took a hard line against the books trying to say they violated their religious beliefs by teaching black arts, aka magic. Now that a major character who is respected and loved by kids is revealed to be gay-they won't stand for it. I hear grumblings from friends of mine about Captain Jack on Doctor Who being bi-sexual. This wont survive in certain parts of the country.

[ABMAC]

As for folks saying they like their story book characters asexual, guess what....You're all missing something...The fact that almost everyone of them throughout history is portrayed as heterosexual! Were Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, The Little Mermaid and any other storybook lass and their respective princes living "happily ever after" together, all asexual? Something to think about.

All of the characters you cited fell in love in their respective stories. What about the seven dwarves, the fairy godmother, et al? They are asexual and should remain so.

[danadoll]

Why do people have to be that stupid, though? Here's an idea...If they don't like the books or what they have in them...Don't buy them, don't check them out of the library and shouldn't let their children watch the films.

Dana

[ABMAC]

I agree with Anthony on this point except that rather than sell more books accross america copies of Harry Potter books will be removed from library & bookstore shelves and burned/banned. When the series first became popular many Christians in the USA took a hard line against the books trying to say they violated their religious beliefs by teaching black arts, aka magic. Now that a major character who is respected and loved by kids is revealed to be gay-they won't stand for it. I hear grumblings from friends of mine about Captain Jack on Doctor Who being bi-sexual. This wont survive in certain parts of the country.

The libraries won't remove the books themselves, but "concerned citizens" will borrow them and never return them. Then the libraries will order more copies, and the cycle will continue until the library gives in.

[danadoll]

All of the characters you cited fell in love in their respective stories. What about the seven dwarves, the fairy godmother, et al? They are asexual and should remain so.

Supporting characters?....But Cinderella's stepmother and two stepsisters were straight, as were Sleeping Beauty's parents, Papa and Mama Bear in Goldilocks, Snow White's evil stepmother, even Little Red Riding Hood's mother and Grandmother.

A few characters are asexual...Most are straight/heterosexual, especially if there is any indication of a romantic relationship (past or present) in the story...This includes the supporting characters in many fairy tales and other children's stories.

[danadoll]

The libraries won't remove the books themselves, but "concerned citizens" will borrow them and never return them. Then the libraries will order more copies, and the cycle will continue until the library gives in.

Yeah...It makes me wonder about this country sometimes and it's supposed "freeness". You're only as free as special interests groups allow you to be (whether they be Gay, Straight, Christian, Muslim, etc...). Everything offends somebody and somebodies are invariably offended by something or someone.

Dana

[ABMAC]

Supporting characters?....But Cinderella's stepmother and two stepsisters were straight, as were Sleeping Beauty's parents, Papa and Mama Bear in Goldilocks, Snow White's evil stepmother, even Little Red Riding Hood's mother and Grandmother.

A few characters are asexual...Most are straight/heterosexual, especially if there is any indication of a romantic relationship (past or present) in the story...This includes the supporting characters in many fairy tales and other children's stories.

Yes, parents and grandparents are usually straight. Duh.

When a character has romantic rivals, making them gay is pointless unless they're all gay. Having Cinderella's stepbrother vying for the (straight) prince's affections would only make him look ridiculous. Gay villains would be seen as gay-bashing.

Rather than worrying about characters like Dumbledore and Cinderella that have already been written, authors who want to see more mainstream gay characters portrayed in children's literature should try writing stories that contain gay characters.

[cjefferys]

What about the seven dwarves, the fairy godmother, et al? They are asexual and should remain so.

I agree. I really don't want to think of the seven dwarves as sexual beings, that just freaks me out for some reason.

[Merlyn1976]

[Johnny]

[JDeRouen]

I agree with what Dave said - once the books is published, it's irrelevant what the author has to say about the characters. If it wasn't in the books, it doesn't exist.

That said, I never really thought about Dumbledore's sexuality while reading the books and don't really care now one way or the other. The fact that Rowling considered him gay doesn't bother me at all, nor would it have bothered me if he'd actually been portrayed as gay in the books. In fact, it might have been a nice change of pace.

Joe