J.K. Rowling Announcement...

MaverickZero · 10-22-2007, 04:43 AM

http://www.time.com/time/arts/articl...674069,00.html

(New York) — 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.

I figured this was spooky enough...

Is this really necessary? I mean really, who the hell really cared in the first place? I'm not a fan of Harry Potter myself... but really, people who are that in depth in things like that really need to get a life...

DepthsofSpace · 10-22-2007, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaverickZero

http://www.time.com/time/arts/articl...674069,00.html

I figured this was spooky enough...

Is this really necessary? I mean really, who the hell really cared in the first place? I'm not a fan of Harry Potter myself... but really, people who are that in depth in things like that really need to get a life...

HP fangirls = teh scary

Seriously, they are the epitome of depravity. =P They do need a life, I'll agree there.

Rorschach Twin · 10-22-2007, 02:48 PM

Yeah.. that actually does surprise me. I don't get it though, why would she say that? She already has enough controversy with her books being allegedly about 'witchcraft', now she has to add gay in there as well?

spoon! · 10-22-2007, 02:55 PM

Not really necessary, but kind of surprising. If thought hard enough about it, I would have figured Dumbledore to be asexual.

Haex · 10-22-2007, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rorschach Twin

Yeah.. that actually does surprise me. I don't get it though, why would she say that? She already has enough controversy with her books being allegedly about 'witchcraft', now she has to add gay in there as well?

Yeah, I hate it when authors decide to change the sexual orientations of characters they've been developing through several books, after they've all been published...

Though, I haven't read it, so my sarcastic comment might actually be meritable...

MaverickZero · 10-22-2007, 04:56 PM

It would have been more appropriate if it had been hinted in the books... but to my understanding it wasn't implied, or really elaborated on at all. Just that he's never seen interested in a woman...

Clockwork · 10-22-2007, 08:54 PM

Yes, honestly. And this entirely unwanted news has brought nasty images to mind -_- I don't really give a damn about what sex Dumbledore likes, really, because it never mattered. This almost seems like a cheap stunt to grab more attention or something.

Quote:

Originally Posted by spoon!

Not really necessary, but kind of surprising. If thought hard enough about it, I would have figured Dumbledore to be asexual.

What, you mean you'd expect him to split in half to reproduce? XP

Rorschach Twin · 10-23-2007, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Haex

Yeah, I hate it when authors decide to change the sexual orientations of characters they've been developing through several books, after they've all been published...

Though, I haven't read it, so my sarcastic comment might actually be meritable...

Honestly though, I don't see how one would get that Dumbledore is gay, unless the author was to tell them. I mean, he really doesn't have much contact in any sort of relationships with other character. He's kind of a static character, anyway.... and he dies... wtf?

††BlackRose†† · 10-23-2007, 02:44 PM

I would have to agree with you Rorschach. I wouldn't have thought that Dumbledore was gay. She should have done a better job in making that point across throughout her books. Clearly her character development was weak.

Oh well. Doesn't affect my life whatsoever so natually I couldn't care less....

... unless Harry dies!!!! (which I found he doesn't

)

LadyStardust · 10-23-2007, 03:00 PM

There's an article mentioned just to the right at the top of a list. "Put Dumbledore Back in the Closet." No, it's not fear or hate-mongering. It's actually a fairly thoughtful piece by a gay journalist commenting on what affect (or lack thereof) Rowling's announcement has made. I would strongly suggest reading that, as well.

Christina_Death1334 · 10-23-2007, 06:43 PM

Is it just me, or does Rowling feel her franchise-and fame-dying? To me this seems to be a last attempt for attention. But i could be wrong...

CptSternn · 10-26-2007, 02:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Christina_Death1334

Is it just me, or does Rowling feel her franchise-and fame-dying? To me this seems to be a last attempt for attention. But i could be wrong...

Thats the same vibe I got. Of course, I have never been a fan of the series, but I have watched the films. I wasn't too impressed with any of them - after the second one they seemed pretty repetitive.

...but coming out and saying that one of the lead characters in the worlds #1 leading children's novel collection is gay, now THAT is something that will increase book sales and get you publicity around the globe.

I do give her kudos for that. Even if it's just a publicity stunt, it's pretty kewl since it obviously is a dig at right-wing society.

NachtSorcier · 10-26-2007, 09:35 AM

I had a feeling all along that old Albus was a little queer. Gaydar works on books too, apparently.

Lapin · 10-26-2007, 10:19 AM

Alright, when I read DH, I got the vibe of "They were so NOT just friends" about GG and Dumbledore. So I don't think she was "changing the sexuality" (Glare at Haex). I think she was confirming rumors that were being circulated.

Because seriously, I'm in the HP fandom, but I'm one of the sane ones. Arguing fangirls/boys = scary. At least the AD/MM shippers will shut it.

NachtSorcier · 10-26-2007, 10:23 AM

MM? Madame Maxime?

Lapin · 10-26-2007, 10:26 AM

*unladylike snort* Minerva McGonagall.

But thanks for the images.

Miss Cogs · 10-26-2007, 01:57 PM

Does it really matter....it doesn't change the way the guy was percieved in the book. It's just that we now know he's gay. God, people. -_-

Depravity · 10-26-2007, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lapin

Alright, when I read DH, I got the vibe of "They were so NOT just friends" about GG and Dumbledore. So I don't think she was "changing the sexuality" (Glare at Haex). I think she was confirming rumors that were being circulated.

It's kinda surprising so many people didn't notice the hints Rowling dropped in Deathly Hallows as to Dumbledore and Grinwald. regardless, I don't think Rowling is trolling for attention here with this announcement. They are her characters and her story, she's quite well within her rights to do what she will with them. I've read a number of articles on this, including one in my own local newspaper, and from everything I've read it seems to me she was just answering a question someone asked in the best way she knew how.

Crying_Crimson_Tears · 10-26-2007, 02:54 PM

It's interesting that she announced this now though. I am thinking that she waited until the whole Harry Potter attention sort of died down then announced it to keep people paying attention to her series. She could have announced it before or right after the premiere of her last book. It seems she did want a little attention from it plus she wanted people to know.

LadyStardust · 10-26-2007, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crying_Crimson_Tears

It's interesting that she announced this now though. I am thinking that she waited until the whole Harry Potter attention sort of died down then announced it to keep people paying attention to her series. She could have announced it before or right after the premiere of her last book. It seems she did want a little attention from it plus she wanted people to know.

Unless the timing was for the opposite reason. Maybe she was worried about NEGATIVE attention. There had already been rumours flying around that Order of the Phoenix was the last book to be adapted to the big screen, because the others weren't as "family friendly," and would thus not be as marketable. Maybe she was waiting until she felt that the announcement wouldn't hurt her, so to speak.

thedoll · 10-30-2007, 12:15 AM

Maybe a ploy to aide equality for LBGT's everywhere? Fantastic.

Tam Li Hua · 10-31-2007, 07:35 AM

I don't think it really matters, either way.

So he's gay. So....it doesn't really change the story or anything at all, and a lot of Dumbledore fanatics are satisfied.

I think I care less about the reason why Rowling 'announced' such a thing, and more about why people are making such a big deal about it. [Also, I tend to go with the creative license theory, that they are -her- characters to do with as she sees fit. If she suddenly wanted to say that Harry was actually a zebra in magical disguise, she could do it.]

MaverickZero · 10-31-2007, 09:41 AM

It's just the whole, I'm going to cling onto every last piece of publicity I can.

Who cared if he was gay? It's just sad that she had to drop it after her books were out, instead of working it into the story.

Then again, she would have been protested against even more. Not that she's not used to that or anything.

Tam Li Hua · 10-31-2007, 11:05 AM

Eh, I'm willing to give her the benefit of the doubt and say she was just answering a question. *shrug*

But, then again, that may be because she's an inspiration to me as a hopefully successful writer.

Dancing_in_rain · 11-01-2007, 12:11 PM

Ya see? All us people who read/write fanfiction (only when I'm tired and PMS-ing) were right all along!

We knew it before her.