News Flash! Dumbledore Gay!

As I imagine many of you have already heard, JK Rowling revelaed that Hogwarts' Headmaster and master wizard, Albus Dumbledore, is gay! Harry Potter fans around the world are weighing in on this news along with JKR's confirmation that Dumbledore had been in love with Grindelwald.

Personally, I'm thrilled to learn that Dumbledore is gay. Beyond elements of the text that lead readers to suspect that Dumbledore's feelings for Grindelwald were more than plantonic, the relevation that such a powerful wizard is gay makes a strong and important statement about homosexuality.

What do you think of the news!?!

Comments: 9

David The Nighthawk B. Oct 22, 2007, 2:32pm EDT

Snape is a homophobe!

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paul w. Oct 22, 2007, 3:09pm EDT

I mentioned it to my older daughter (13) this morning, and had a brief discussion about handling info like this in a mature non-judgmental way. Haven't brought it up with my younger (8).

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WS R. Oct 22, 2007, 3:09pm EDT

I think Rowling is just trying for more media buzz. And it worked.

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paul w. Oct 22, 2007, 6:10pm EDT

She doesn't really need any more, does she? And, she doesn't seem like the type that has to keep herself in the spotlight. I think she wants to use her platform for good, even though I'm not sure this was necessarily the best way to do so.

Wow, I've typed a lot more about this issue than I thought I would. (Wrote an article, and commented on several.)

"GATHER Discusses Tolerance", a new group at nohate.gather.com .

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amber c. Oct 22, 2007, 9:18pm EDT

i can't believe it. that changes a lot about the book. that shouldn't be in a childern's book at all. no offence at all to anyone.

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Leslie J. Oct 22, 2007, 11:53pm EDT

I don't think she intended to bring it up, from what I've read about the context. Someone just asked her a question, and while obviously it's hard to get the tone of something from a transcript, she just answered it without thinking too much about what the implications would be. Just from her words, I get the impression that it's just something she's so used to in her own mind that it just seemed natural to her just to say, well, he's gay. On the other hand, unless she's envisaged other relationships for him through the years, it seems like a bit of a leap to go from one teenaged infatuation with someone who was obviously VERY charismatic and charming to saying that he IS gay.

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Erica V. Oct 23, 2007, 9:10pm EDT

Im thrilled that Dumbledor is gay (but for selfish and my own reasons)
First, I fought with my best friend over homosexuality in Harry Potter (claiming with all my fangirl fandom that Harry and Draco were "Oh soo an item" (but they are not *sigh* ) ) Im happy because i finally can say to her "Oh, yea, btw, he's gay" and then move on with it (Harry Potter was for the longest time the air we breathed.)
And i am so up for Gay rights (woot lol) Im happy that Dumbledor's sexuality got out there, i mean, what sucks more then having to hide who you are, is that people belive your a lie.
Soooo now even though he's fictonal, dead, and gay, we still love him, fans that loved him should stilllove him, even if he is gay.

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Lynn M. Feb 21, 2008, 3:13pm EST

It's for the media, and that was a ridiculously stupid article.

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Lacey P. Mar 14, 2009, 8:59pm EDT

I think its cool that there are still people out there who have no problem with who they are or letting others know they aren't opposed. I too am in love with the Harry/Draco pairings at fan fiction sites. But just the stuff that doesn't go into offensive detail. I have gay friends all over the world and most of them agree that they thought there was more to Dumbledore. I think, though, that more people should be supportive of gays fictional or not and this is a great way to win that support.

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News Flash! Dumbledore Gay!

Comments: 9

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