Albus Dumbledore, master wizard and Headmaster of Hogwarts, is gay.

[antonyh]

Yes! The great wizard is gay. According to the New York Times, J. K. Rowling Outs Dumbledore:

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/arts/AP-Books-Harry-Potter.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

http://image.guardian.co.uk/sys-images/Film/Pix/gallery/2004/05/19/dumbledore3.jpg

[Tinkerbell047]

Ha ha ha... I heard about this today from my friend, TigerXero, on the way to lunch. That's I found that to be amazing.... it's going to be interesting to see how the anti-gay Potter fans respond to this!

-Tink

[Tinkerbell047]

Hello! ^_^ It's good to be back. Honestly, he's the last character I would have seen as gay... ha ha ha

[Sherrie Z]

And Dumbledore was portrayed in the Harry Potter films by none other than the proudly and openly gay actor Sir Ian McKellen! Yay! : )


OOPS ... see below for corrections ... my mistake, LOL ... blush blush : )

[Unmasked]

Well, casual movie-goers get confused. I wish Sir Ian would have been Dumbledore. I love him so much. He's got a wonderful sense of humor.

[dsdrane]

Honestly, he's the last character I would have seen as gay....

I'm curious...was anyone else annoyed by this revelation?

I, too, agree that Dumbledore is the last person I would have thought as gay (with the exception of Hagrid because we already know on which side his bread is buttered...him and Mr. & Mrs. Weasley, of course).

Besides, if Rowling thought of this character in this way, why not give voice to it explicitly in the books (rather than on the book tour). Seems a day late and a dollar short to me.

[Disclosure: I've only read up through The Goblet of Fire...I'm reading each book right before the movie versions come out...to stretch out the experience as much as possible.]

[antonyh]

I'm curious...was anyone else annoyed by this revelation?

I, too, agree that Dumbledore is the last person I would have thought as gay (with the exception of Hagrid because we already know on which side his bread is buttered...him and Mr. & Mrs. Weasley, of course).

Besides, if Rowling thought of his character in this way, why not give voice to it explicitly in the books (rather than on the book tour). Seems a day late and a dollar short to me.

[Disclosure: I've only read up through The Goblet of Fire...I'm reading each book right before the movie versions come out...to stretch out the experience as much as possible.]

According to Harry Potter fans, the clues where there. I extracted this comment from The Leaky Cauldron:


I am extremely happy that Dumbledore is gay. I’ll admit though, my gay-dar did tell me something when i read Dumbledore & Grindelwald’s story. I am from now on offcially Dumbledores Husband…. I have legal documents to prove it ;)
Posted by Lawrence Gil on October 20, 2007 @ 02:02 PM
http://www.the-leaky-cauldron.org/2007/10/20/j-k-rowling-at-carnegie-hall-reveals-dumbledore-is-gay-neville-marries-hannah-abbott-and-scores-more


According to Wikipedia:


Dumbledore and Grindelwald

Because Dumbledore's parents were absent (his father being in Azkaban and mother deceased), Albus became the head of the family and it became his duty to put food on the table (they were not left with much gold). He was forced to remain in his house with his sister Ariana while Aberforth completed his education. Soon later, a young Gellert Grindelwald arrived in Godric's Hollow to live with his great-aunt, Bathilda Bagshot, author of A History of Magic. The young Dumbledore fell in love with Grindelwald, and together they dreamed of ruling the world "for the greater good" by uniting the legendary Deathly Hallows.

Both wizards had the idea that the Wizarding world should take its rightful place on top of the Muggles, and both believed that wizards should rule over them and put them in their rightful place amongst the entire world. Even if they were forced to destroy a few along the way, it would be "For the greater good" and that the sufferings and losses would be rewarded a hundredfold in the end. However, a discussion between Albus, Aberforth and Grindelwald led to a duel that resulted in Ariana's death. For the rest of his life, Dumbledore felt guilty, never certain whether it was his own curse or another that had actually killed his sister.

Grindelwald stormed back to Bagshot's home and departed to begin his own rule. Meanwhile, in Ariana's funeral, Aberforth became enraged during the service and punched Albus in the nose, breaking it, giving its known crooked appearance. Albus later felt great remorse for his mistakes during adolescence. As a result of them, he felt that he was not to be trusted with power and, because of this, never took the position of Minister of Magic, despite having been offered several times. Dumbledore retured to Hogwarts as professor of Transfiguration, and most likely later became Deputy Headmaster of Hogwarts as he also served in recruiting students for the school.

[Daniel]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/huff-wires/20071020/books-harry-potter/

[animejunkie]

My homophobic family is having a fit. I believe this all to be ridiculous, how some people are reacting of course. I am more than pleased over this news on the other hand, my respect JK Rowling has just soared!

[tdogg]

Long time no see ! welcome back! yes, the pharisee christians will eat this up I'm sure!

Just another reason for them to denounce the Harry Potter series. It's popular and 'right' for the christian 'right' to publicly hate these books. Secretly, perhaps they read and love them. Openly, they cannot show that weakness... :(

[BrentRichards]

I'm curious...was anyone else annoyed by this revelation?

I, too, agree that Dumbledore is the last person I would have thought as gay (with the exception of Hagrid because we already know on which side his bread is buttered...him and Mr. & Mrs. Weasley, of course).

Besides, if Rowling thought of this character in this way, why not give voice to it explicitly in the books (rather than on the book tour). Seems a day late and a dollar short to me.

[Disclosure: I've only read up through The Goblet of Fire...I'm reading each book right before the movie versions come out...to stretch out the experience as much as possible.]


I have to wonder if Rowling made this statement specifically to rile the folks who are already riled by the "dangers" of Harry Potter ... she did comment in the news conference that this would be "one more reason" for them not to like her. Of course the cynic in me says, "What, you're not satisfied with the level of publicity already?" ... or maybe she's just jealous that Daniel Radcliffe (naked on stage) was getting all the controversy?

I have to agree with David, it seems a bit contrived. If you're going to write a story, write a story, then leave it alone. Let the fans make their own back story, which they will anyway. If it's essential to the character, it should have been in the book. But that's just me.

Side note: the "other wizard" Sir Ian McKellan is an amazing man ... a great actor, and a MAJOR activist. He's a great voice for our community in Britain.

[BrentRichards]

By hating Harry Potter they just further alienate themselves from the 16-29 year-old demographic. they're cutting themselvs off at the knees . let him

Yeah, very Chicken Little, isn't it? And they wonder why people don't take them seriously. It reminds me of a "documentary" we were shown by our short-term fundy youth leader back in high school called "Hell's Bells" ... on the horrible dangers of Rock and Roll, including such evil and satanic artists as Billy Joel and Huey Lewis (if memory serves).

[Daniel]

I have to agree with David, it seems a bit contrived. If you're going to write a story, write a story, then leave it alone. Let the fans make their own back story, which they will anyway. If it's essential to the character, it should have been in the book. But that's just me.


It's not uncommon for a writer (or actor for that matter) to write a backstory for their characters. It's not the first time I've heard someone reference this kind of information. Not only that, writers can have a proprietary attachment to their characters- and often talk about them as living realities.

I give her credit, she answered the question during a Q and A honestly, when she could have skirted the issue.

And there is something else I think at work here....well...perhaps two things.

1) She's come to the end of a huge life-changing experience and is processing it in public at bit- can't blame her actually- the media has been hounding here for years and years. How she kept up the pace of writing with that kind of fish-bowl living is nothing short of amazing.

2) She appeared at Carnegie Hall! Very grand. The place lends itself to big statements! :lol:

[Zerbie]

a "documentary" we were shown by our short-term fundy youth leader back in high school called "Hell's Bells" ... on the horrible dangers of Rock and Roll, including such evil and satanic artists as Billy Joel and Huey Lewis (if memory serves).

(sputters) Wha - ????????
:confused::confused::confused:
:lol:

[paul]

I had the same take as tdogg. Now those who know Harry Potter to be of the devil have confirmation. :lol:, sigh

[Sherrie Z]

actually... that was ANOTHER famous wizard. Gandalf from LOTR was played by Sir Ian.

Well, casual movie-goers get confused. I wish Sir Ian would have been Dumbledore. I love him so much. He's got a wonderful sense of humor.

Oops ... blush blush ... I should have looked closer at that photo, LOL ...

I haven't seen any of the Harry Potter films ... or any of the Lord of the Rings films ... but silly me, I actually knew that Sir Ian was in LOTR, LOL ... and I just temporarily spaced out about Potter ... sorry, hee hee : )

Anyway, thanks for claryifying and thanks (to Brent too) for the nice comments about my hero, Sir Ian!

[keltic63]

Is this thread about that Henry Porter movie? :confused:

[Jamie McDaniel]

I can hear them now. Gay? Well, isn't there a spell for that or something?

Look, Dumbledore is just another good wizard who happens to be gay. And there's nothing you, nor I, nor J.K. Rowlings can do to change that. :magic: And why has no one used this smiley in this thread until now?!

[dsdrane]

My, but you guys are easily pleased.

How those crumbs taste??

Now that the gay seal has been broken, here's another fan's question JKR can answer honestly: given all the characters in this series, who else is gay? Surely, there are others.

Think we'll get a "straight" answer?

I'm dubious.

[dsdrane]

Now you're startin to PISS me off! You are a big, grown-up, gay activist, hot-shot, too sexy for his hat, architect in Chicago Il so may TO YOU this seems like a crumb. But somehow, I think it will seem different to the 13 year-old HP fan in Medina, OH who thinks he's a freak and a loser because he likes how other boys look in swimming trunks and he would like to kiss them. He just found out that the author of his favorite books knew from the beginning that the most powerful and wise character in the series, Albus Dumbledore, is queer... just like him. I'm thinking this doesn't feel like a "crumb" to him. And it may be better for him and for others that it came as an "oh by the way" rather than as a major aspect of the plot.

And just to be ablolutely clear. Just because you piss me off occasionally doesn't change the fact that I love you :love:


Oh, Gawd...I suppose.

Sorry...I'm sick and ueber-grouchy this morning...er...afternoon.

And, yes, u-'er right, of course. It is all about perspective: a crumb to me may be a banquet to someone else.

I guess my point is we have to move past "a crumb being a banquet", so that a story like this is to be expected...not "news".

Know what I mean? Isn't that the goal?

:love:

[dsdrane]

Yeah! that's the goal. I long for that day too. But in the mean time. I'm happy for that 13 year old kid because... I used to be him and I didn't get the crumb I deserved!

And the fact that we still have this situation -- no matter how much progress we may or may not have made over the years -- is what fuels my hurt-turned-anger 27 years later. :mad:

[tdogg]

Yeah, very Chicken Little, isn't it? And they wonder why people don't take them seriously. It reminds me of a "documentary" we were shown by our short-term fundy youth leader back in high school called "Hell's Bells" ... on the horrible dangers of Rock and Roll, including such evil and satanic artists as Billy Joel and Huey Lewis (if memory serves).

Oh yeah, I could only listen to country music (or classical) growing up, because rock & roll was of the devil. Sheesh, with the exception of some rap, have you heard anything more explicit, depressing and occasionally degrading as county/western music??? Well, I spent summers with my real mom, so I caught up on all my rock music during the summer and the day after I left home at 18 (grad nite). It was wonderful!

[TigerXero]

The following couple of posts are from a separate discussion about Dumbledore that formed before this one (but was apparently ignored for the most part T_T...). The moderators decided to merge the two.


I really can't believe no one has posted something about this, but then again, it's not really that important.

Here's a direct feed from the Associated Press:

NEW YORK (AP) -- Harry Potter fans, the rumors are true: Albus Dumbledore, master wizard and Headmaster of Hogwarts, is gay.

Dumbledore, played by Michael Gambon, was in love with his male rival, the author of Harry Potter books says.

Rowling, author of the mega-selling fantasy series that ended last summer, outed the beloved character Friday night while appearing before a full house at Carnegie Hall. After reading briefly from the final book, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," she took questions from audience members.

She was asked by one young fan whether Dumbledore finds "true love."

"Dumbledore is gay," the author responded to gasps and applause.

She then explained that Dumbledore was smitten with rival Gellert Grindelwald, whom he defeated long ago in a battle between good and bad wizards. "Falling in love can blind us to an extent," Rowling said of Dumbledore's feelings, adding that Dumbledore was "horribly, terribly let down."

Dumbledore's love, she observed, was his "great tragedy."

"Oh, my god," Rowling concluded with a laugh, "the fan fiction."

Potter readers on fan sites and elsewhere on the Internet have speculated on the sexuality of Dumbledore, noting that he has no close relationship with women and a mysterious, troubled past. And explicit scenes with Dumbledore already have appeared in fan fiction.

Rowling told the audience that while working on the planned sixth Potter film, "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince," she spotted a reference in the script to a girl who once was of interest to Dumbledore. A note was duly passed to director David Yates, revealing the truth about her character.

Rowling, finishing a brief "Open Book Tour" of the United States, her first tour here since 2000, also said that she regarded her Potter books as a "prolonged argument for tolerance" and urged her fans to "question authority."

Not everyone likes her work, Rowling said, likely referring to Christian groups that have alleged the books promote witchcraft. Her news about Dumbledore, she said, will give them one more reason.

[Pablo Rafael]

I heard this on NPR yesterday.
I am seeing and hearing more "normal" gay people becoming characters in TV, book and movies. (By "normal" I mean regular characters not the shallow stereotypical gay characters that make only brief, humorous appearances.)
And I for one ALWAYS thought Dumblefore was gay. (Aren't all the really great people?) :D

Excuse me, I've got to run. I hear a mob of the "straight" soulforcers gathering outside the house!

[Dumbledore]

My homophobic family is having a fit. I believe this all to be ridiculous, how some people are reacting of course. I am more than pleased over this news on the other hand, my respect JK Rowling has just soared!

Would you like me to turn your muggle family into frogs? Stand strong!

[Jennifer5]

http://www.soulforce.org/forums/showthread.php?t=3917

[tpdncr4christ]

My mom is an elementary school librarian who promotes reading Harry Potter so much its over half of her library. She looked at me the other day and said, "Did you know Dumbledore was gay?" I looked at her in disbelief. I have since read the series again (that would be the 4th time for the whole series) and I see how Dumbledore could be gay. She didn't do as much of it as I would like, but it makes more sense, especially as seen in DH.

Anyway, my mom was smiling when she said it, kinda like she was saying "haha you won." Yeah, this is good news.

[Dumbledore]

As you know I have been receiving a lot of publicity of late. I wanted to share one article that talks about the cultural significance of my recent outing...although the clues where there all the time:


So why now, and why Dumbledore? The answer has much to do with the universe Rowling has created, in which easy assumptions about a character's motives, past, or inner life have, in book after book, been proven wrong, and with her own progressive and humane politics. It's often said that if every gay person in the world were to turn purple overnight, homophobia would disappear: In other words, fewer people would be inclined to vilify other human beings if they woke up one day and discovered that they'd been aiming stones at their college roommate, their aunt, their grocer, or their grandson. Statistics bear this out: People who have a gay family member or friend have more enlightened attitudes about homosexuality than those who don't. What Rowling has done, brilliantly, is to turn Dumbledore purple. She didn't reveal his sexuality in order to unlock a new way of reading the books, or as a provocation. She simply told the world that a main character in the best-loved books of the last 10 years is homosexual, and asked her audience to contend with it — and with the fact that it shouldn't matter. And her choice to make a beloved professor-mentor gay in a world where gay teachers are still routinely slandered as malign influences was, I am certain, no accident.

In addition to the braying of hatemongers, there's already been some umbrage taken at the appropriateness of Rowling's decision to uncork this news in front of children, a brand of sanctimony for which I have no patience. At least one out of 25 of those children will eventually self-identify as homosexual. The other 24, having made their way through an epic series that includes multiple murders, demonic possession, and the psychic toll of having mentally ill parents, will, I imagine, be able to handle the bulletin that some people are gay, and will likely benefit from the richer understanding of the world that such knowledge provides.

http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20154416,00.html