Dumbledore comes out of wizard closet

*Raph's Girl* · 10-19-2007, 09:22 PM

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071020/...harry_potter_2

Quote:

Harry Potter fans, the rumors are true: Albus Dumbledore, master wizard and Headmaster of Hogwarts, is gay. J.K. 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.

Well...at least that question has been answered....

*KROW* · 10-19-2007, 09:38 PM

The hell?

Now I'm waiting for Christopher Tolkien to come out and explain the truth about Frodo.

**Jo Dawn** · 10-20-2007, 12:26 AM

Well... 'prolonged arguement for tolerance' indeed. I have zero problem with this... What does worry me is the psycho moms who are already being INtolerant about the books.

...Oh, and the fanficcers. They scare me most of all.

Anyhow, good for JK. She rules.

Ra · 10-20-2007, 12:44 AM

...well, that explains a bit...

**Barkworm** · 10-20-2007, 01:47 AM

I don't really care about this but I'm glad that the religious nutjobs will have another reason to hate the books.

**GK Punk** · 10-20-2007, 01:57 AM

i agree with Barkworm

*Sewer Bull* · 10-20-2007, 02:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KROW

The hell?

Now I'm waiting for Christopher Tolkien to come out and explain the truth about Frodo.

Or Gandalf. Sir Ian McKellen played him, that can't be a coincidence.

a_big_apple · 10-20-2007, 03:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sewer Bull

Or Gandalf. Sir Ian McKellen played him, that can't be a coincidence.

Thanks, now I have images of Gandalf/Dumbledore crossover fanfiction in my head.

*ZariusTwo* · 10-20-2007, 11:33 AM

Well with Radcliffe jacking Horses nude, I suppose the franchise's non-existant innocense doesnt need sheilding...

*Mecha Cow* · 10-20-2007, 12:47 PM

Err, OK. Kind of weird to 'out' a character after the series is finished, especially since his sexuality never had any bearing on the story, but whatever.

How long will take for morons to start claiming the

Spoiler:

business was a hate crime?

**Jo Dawn** · 10-20-2007, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecha Cow

Err, OK. Kind of weird to 'out' a character after the series is finished, especially since his sexuality never had any bearing on the story, but whatever.

Well... Actually, it was a question already with many fans. So, she just answered their questions.

*Rooish* · 10-20-2007, 01:48 PM

Wow, I never even wondered about Dumbledore's sexuality. Still, it's really really cool that Rowling would ignore the prejudices of people and put a gay character in her book.

Swany · 10-20-2007, 01:53 PM

To me it just seems like shes trying to keep the fans interested.

And in the words of JK "Oh God! The fanfiction!"

And lets not forget the fan art.

Spawn Guy · 10-20-2007, 02:19 PM

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/3094202/...hristmas_Party

**Jester** · 10-20-2007, 04:35 PM

I have to agree that this just seems like an extemporaneous addition to the mythos that has no real bearing on the character. I mean, come on, what does it matter is Dumbledore is straight or gay?

*Mecha Cow* · 10-20-2007, 04:53 PM

I think the sudden implication that Dumbledore was in love with Grindelwald is incredibly contrived, actually. Eh, I just hope this doesn't mean future movies will have 'subtle' hints regarding Dumbledore's sexuality (And no, not because I am 'anti-gayz' or whatever).

Hell, I'm not even sure if Rowling was entirely serious with that statement. Of course, she can't very well retract it now.

Spawn Guy · 10-20-2007, 05:02 PM

Cause then she'd be anti-gayz!

PipingPringle · 10-21-2007, 06:13 AM

Oh man, I love JKR so much right now "Oh my god, the fanfiction"

Love!

But I am glad she left it out of the last book, not because I don't want Dubledore to be gay, but because it would have distracted from the story. I think this is just one of a lot of things she's revealed after the last book, though I would wager the most controversial.

Man, I really hope she wasn't joking. It really didn't seem like it in the article when she defended Dumbledore's taste in men "Falling in love can blind us to an extent"

**Jo Dawn** · 10-21-2007, 01:41 PM

She didnt put it in the story because it had nothing to DO with the story. But it was his character. She is the author, he is her character. Anyone who writes fiction knows that their characters have certain traits that aren't important to the story; but we know them anyway.

I found it good for her that she had such rounded out characters and, hey... Now we know even more about the world she created!

Quote:

"Falling in love can blind us to an extent"

I found that incredibly poignant. And something for us to take from it, as adults and humans in general.

And it's not to 'keep people interested'. Good Lord, HP is nowhere NEAR needing people to be reminded of it, hahahaha.

Lady R. Santi · 10-21-2007, 03:01 PM

I was not surprised when I heard this news yesterday. It was not as obvious in the books as it has been in the movies...especially after Richard Harris and even with Michael Gambon. And it really doesn't matter to me. Other than his bit with Grindelwald (which actually adds some depth to the relationship), it has little bearing on the story or how I think about the character.

10-19-2007, 09:38 PM	#2
KROW Meat-n-Potatoes Man Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: State's Anus, NY Posts: 6,472	The hell? Now I'm waiting for Christopher Tolkien to come out and explain the truth about Frodo. __________________ - Optimus Acid Trip - Cult of a Half-Shell - Raiden's Bitter Tongue - *I don't try to be funny; I fail at it naturally.*

10-20-2007, 12:26 AM	#3
Jo Dawn Inactive Moderator Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Authority On All Things Don Posts: 5,190	Well... 'prolonged arguement for tolerance' indeed. I have zero problem with this... What does worry me is the psycho moms who are already being INtolerant about the books. ...Oh, and the fanficcers. They scare me most of all. Anyhow, good for JK. She rules. __________________

10-20-2007, 12:44 AM	#4
Ra It's my desire? Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: In your pants. Posts: 4,441	...well, that explains a bit... __________________ "So. The whole lot of you against little old me? How retarded."

10-20-2007, 01:47 AM	#5
Barkworm Draconian leftist ruler Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Germany Posts: 6,757	I don't really care about this but I'm glad that the religious nutjobs will have another reason to hate the books. __________________ Make ****, not kill!

10-20-2007, 11:33 AM	#9
ZariusTwo Overlord Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Britain, DINO THUNDER...POWER UP! Posts: 22,491	Well with Radcliffe jacking Horses nude, I suppose the franchise's non-existant innocense doesnt need sheilding... __________________ Spider-Man: The Rescue Spider-Man: The Galloping Cat Spider-Man: Scarlet Mirror Doctor Who: Child of the Daleks

10-20-2007, 01:57 AM	#6
GK Punk I'm your Devil Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 12,439	i agree with Barkworm

10-20-2007, 12:47 PM	#10
Mecha Cow Gorgeous and modest too Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 3,699	Err, OK. Kind of weird to 'out' a character after the series is finished, especially since his sexuality never had any bearing on the story, but whatever. How long will take for morons to start claiming the Spoiler: 'Snape kills Dumbledore' business was a hate crime? __________________

10-20-2007, 01:48 PM	#12
Rooish Devil's Advocate Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 2,130	Wow, I never even wondered about Dumbledore's sexuality. Still, it's really really cool that Rowling would ignore the prejudices of people and put a gay character in her book. __________________ Thanks evan2000 for the sig!

10-20-2007, 01:53 PM	#13
Swany Stone Warrior Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Near Glasgow. Scotland Posts: 924	To me it just seems like shes trying to keep the fans interested. And in the words of JK "Oh God! The fanfiction!" And lets not forget the fan art. __________________

10-20-2007, 02:19 PM	#14
Spawn Guy Mad Scientist Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Earth 616 Posts: 1,481	http://www.fanfiction.net/s/3094202/...hristmas_Party __________________ *THE TECHNODROME'S LITTLE YELLOW BOX LOVER* madpiratebunny (19:26:51): oh goodness, I've got an idea SpawnGuyThing (19:26:57): Do tell madpiratebunny (19:27:02): nononono madpiratebunny (19:27:05): no telling SpawnGuyThing (19:27:10): ... SpawnGuyThing (19:27:27): But I'm the imaginery friend you always wanted SpawnGuyThing (19:27:36): Your supposed to tell me everything

10-20-2007, 04:35 PM	#15
Jester Rat-faced Dude-guy Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Arkansas Posts: 26,301	I have to agree that this just seems like an extemporaneous addition to the mythos that has no real bearing on the character. I mean, come on, what does it matter is Dumbledore is straight or gay? __________________ "Clearly, you're Ninja Turtling incorrectly." - Leo656

10-20-2007, 04:53 PM	#16
Mecha Cow Gorgeous and modest too Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 3,699	I think the sudden implication that Dumbledore was in love with Grindelwald is incredibly contrived, actually. Eh, I just hope this doesn't mean future movies will have 'subtle' hints regarding Dumbledore's sexuality (And no, not because I am 'anti-gayz' or whatever). Hell, I'm not even sure if Rowling was entirely serious with that statement. Of course, she can't very well retract it now. __________________

10-20-2007, 05:02 PM	#17
Spawn Guy Mad Scientist Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Earth 616 Posts: 1,481	Cause then she'd be anti-gayz! __________________ *THE TECHNODROME'S LITTLE YELLOW BOX LOVER* madpiratebunny (19:26:51): oh goodness, I've got an idea SpawnGuyThing (19:26:57): Do tell madpiratebunny (19:27:02): nononono madpiratebunny (19:27:05): no telling SpawnGuyThing (19:27:10): ... SpawnGuyThing (19:27:27): But I'm the imaginery friend you always wanted SpawnGuyThing (19:27:36): Your supposed to tell me everything

10-21-2007, 06:13 AM	#18
PipingPringle Hench Mutant Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Atlantic Canada Posts: 475	Oh man, I love JKR so much right now "Oh my god, the fanfiction" Love! But I am glad she left it out of the last book, not because I don't want Dubledore to be gay, but because it would have distracted from the story. I think this is just one of a lot of things she's revealed after the last book, though I would wager the most controversial. Man, I really hope she wasn't joking. It really didn't seem like it in the article when she defended Dumbledore's taste in men "Falling in love can blind us to an extent" __________________

10-21-2007, 03:01 PM	#20
Lady R. Santi Foot Soldier Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: MI, USA Posts: 108	I was not surprised when I heard this news yesterday. It was not as obvious in the books as it has been in the movies...especially after Richard Harris and even with Michael Gambon. And it really doesn't matter to me. Other than his bit with Grindelwald (which actually adds some depth to the relationship), it has little bearing on the story or how I think about the character. __________________ LadyRSanti@DeviantART