The Headmaster’s Secret
Was Dumbledore actually gay? J.K. Rowling says yes!
Entry Filed under: Notebook
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33 Comments Add your own
Diana
Oh my lord
That’s actually kind of cool.
Malin
Oh my. I guess he is out of the closet now
Ps. Nice theme you put up!
Ania
OMG! When i found out I’m like… that makes sooo much sense! The crazy coloured clothes, no women in his life,the really close relationship with Gellert Grindelwald … Man i luv the fac t she outed him! Oh and all the fanfiction authors out there that got it right… got to say.. spot on! lolz.
richard
There is nothing in the books to indicate that Dumbledore was gay. Rowling is essentially rewriting a character and storyline after the books are published, which is an outrageous demeaning of an otherwise excellent series. Stay at home, enjoy your millions, and keep your mouth shut, J.K.. You’ve lost at least one once-loyal fan.
Azz
Omar
She answered a question a fan asked her truthfully. She said she always percieved Dumbledore to be gay, it wasn’t relevant to the plot of the book so why would she mention it in canon? Should she have lied about how she sees her character? She is giving all sorts of background information about characters that did not make it into the book. No great fuss about other revelations.
This really shows the prejudice so many people carry around with them. They spew out hatred and reject a fictional character and the author, just because of his sexual orientation. It scares me to think how they would treat someone in real life that they love or cared about if he/she comes out and admits they are gay.
LX_Emergency
Personally I think it’s pathetic. It’s a series of CHILDRENS books. They don’t care about the sexual nature of their heroes! I know I never did. So why ruin it for many people this way? It means that whenever kids read about Dumbledore they’ll be thinking about homosexuality (I’m not saying anything about whether I agree with homosexuality itself or not) and kids that read Harry Potter (ages 12 (!!!!) and up) should not be busy with such things. They should be playing and thinking about how cool it would be to be the main character…..
Alexio
I agree with Richard. This is just a stupid ploy to get more attention to an ended series.
Urban_Sasquatch
I recall reading the books, and how especially during the final book there were a couple of moments, small comments that made me pause and wonder whether Dumbledore was gay.
I also recall thinking “It really doesn’t matter, it would explain his loner status, it would explain certain read-between-the-lines aspects of his childhood and fascination, immediate as it was, with the wizard who later became his enemy. It doesn’t change Dumbledore, because there’s no such thing as good men or good women, there’s only good people.”
And I went merrily on reading — because it did not matter TO ME, as an adult, reading the books at the time.
Now, that having been said…
Dumbledore’s “outing” to the public strikes me as pathetic on Rowling’s part, and demonstrates the American (and quite possibly World’s) overwrought fascination with the world of fantasy as well as fascination with perpetuating social differences. Headlines like “Dumbledore’s gay; What’s Next?!?” and so on merely serve to heighten tensions by taking a beloved character and inflaming (no pun intended) tensions which are already taken far too seriously by those both pro- and con- on the matter.
Gay people (and media headlines) will trumpet this as a victory for homosexuals, while anti-homosexuals will see this as both a publicity stunt and a slap in the face.
It was a mystery for the thoughtful (and adult) which did NOT need clarification in order to enrich an already rich and colorful character who was deemed the imago of the Wise Old Man who represented much that was wise and good in the world of Harry Potter.
However, it brings up a topic which children should NOT have to spend time thinking about, let alone emulating based solely (and yes, I mean SOLELY) on their impressionability at an early age. If a child grows to be a man (or woman) and is gay, let it be because he/she is gay, and not because at a time in life that is already so rife with confusion one solid literary figure was gay.
I see kids, teenagers who are twelve and thirteen adamantly declaring their homosexuality as a bold social statement — and at a time in their lives when, let’s face it, we don’t KNOW who the heck we are, what the heck we are. I see first-year college students boldly joining the gay cliques, only to deny any knowledge of such incidents by the time they’re juniors, because it was a fad. This has the childish potential to ruin lives later because we make such a huge deal out of whether someone is gay or not, further frightening those who are, colorfully ostracizing those who are not but merely experimented under the guise of social foolishness.
I still don’t care that Dumbledore was gay; I care very deeply about Rowling’s thoughtless comment inflaming the media. I believe she could have left it very responsibly with “What do YOU think?” and nothing more.
Leah
Thanks Urban, very well put and my thoughts exactly. I consider myself an extremely open and accetping person and reject all notions of homophobia, however subtle. I just found this preposterous and unneccessary, an after-thought that ironically made Dumbledore less whole as a character for me than before.
I actually did not see Dumbledore as gay. I saw him exactly as I saw my own teachers when you are in school - completely devoid of any sexuality because they are seen in many ways as you see your own parents, and unless someone or something forces you to see them as sexual you just pretend that side doesn’t exist. There were far too many things to focus on in the series for me to question something so contextually insignificant.
Why hasn’t Rowling said anything of McGonagall, Slughorn, Quirrel, Voldemort himself?? It simply doesn’t matter.
Amanda
I don’t think it particularly matters. I think it matters to her with the personality and the background of the characters in mind when she writes them to stay true to their own character description she has in her head. Every author knows their characters inside and out and if she felt that Dumblerdores character would be better if he were a homosexual man so be it. It doesn’t make me like the books any less than my unnatrual love I already had for them.
Queen of Shake Shake
Oh, funny.
That the homosexual world would seize upon a FICTIONAL character as some sort of triumphal symbol?
That makes me giggle. Because he isn’t real. haha!
I think JK has the right to say whatever she wants to say about the characters that SHE created. And I’m sure she’d be ok with a minority of people who are upset over Albus being gay and not buying her books too. You know, because she actually DOES have more money than the Queen of England.
KingJacob
I dont see what the big deal is alot of great fictional/real men have been homosexual. The harry potter series being strictly a childrens book is questionable as I enjoyed all of the books starting from when I was 10 to now 19.
Silly
It’s great that J.K. is so progressive. The church failed their so-called boycot and now one of the most influential characters is gay. I love J.K. She’s awesome.
BlueAbbot
A few points about the logic used by people objecting to Rowling’s comments:
1. “It’s a series of CHILDRENS books. They don’t care about the sexual nature of their heroes!”
I didn’t hear any objections to the fact that it was revealed in the books that Harry was straight. And my sons (9 and 6) thought it was pretty cool that Dumbledore was gay.
2. “jk rowling just wants attention she made that up on the spot so she could become more famous”
Really?! MORE famous than being the richest woman in all England, the most-published author in the last decade, and in the middle of what is already the most profitable movie series of all time?
3. “There is nothing in the books to indicate that Dumbledore was gay. Rowling is essentially rewriting a character and storyline after the books are published.”
I have to disagree with this first statement. As was pointed out here:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21407911/
many of the descriptions of Dumbledore’s actions and emotions make a lot of sense in the context of his being gay. In any event, fiction writing (at least good fiction writing) is not an attempt to exhaustively and explicitly state every little fact about each character’s life. The author has a vision for each character and that comes out in the work–sometimes obviously, sometimes subtly, maybe sometimes not at all. Why should Rowling have hid this part of her concept of Dumbledore when someone asked her a direct question about it?
4. “Why hasn’t Rowling said anything of McGonagall, Slughorn, Quirrel, Voldemort himself?? It simply doesn’t matter.”
No one asked.
Phoenix2780
Amen BlueAbbot. People need to research what they’re talking about before they speak.
hi there
I agree with blueabbot
But some of you people amaze me. How can you clame to be “tolerant”?. You obviously see heterosexuality as a norm. Why should it be revieled that harry 8the main character) is heterosexual? Wouldnt that “inspire” 12 year olds to be hetero, when they dont know in that age if they are or not. That could destroy lifes too.
I dont really think kids will take too much thought into this, kids are more tolerant than most adults. It might however learn them to see that its not a big deal. I had a teacher that was gay and i found out when i was twelve and that was a few years after i got him as a teacher. I dont think anyone in that class wanted to be gay more or less because of that. Should gay people not be allowed to teach because it might “inspire” kids to be gay?
And its funny to think how you dont care at all that it is KILLING in the book. Along with other things far less suitable for kids. Rowling wants to make a stance to show kids that it is ok to be different, as she has shown in the book in several other ways.
but i think she has gotten question about dumbledores past before and obvioulsy not mentioned it before. Why? I dont know. But i think its quiet ciwardice of her, as many kids (like some of yours) probably wouldnt have been allowed to read and they would probably been banned on some parts of the world.
Sinister
Rowling wants to make a stance to show kids that it is ok to be different?
It’s not ok to be gay.
Jen
How is it not ok to be gay? That’s like saying it’s not ok to be black or hispanic or christian or catholic. What are you may I ask? What religion and/or ethnicity. Honestly, that comment was not well thought out.
Tina Silva
I would never of known if she hadn’t said it…why? …. because I don’t like Harry Potter. lol
James Cummins
If J.K. Rowling wanted Dumbledore to be gay, either she needed to make it more apparent via more info in the story line (building it into his characterization) or, she should have shown the world how great of a writer she is…that is theatre of the mind. What separates a great writer from the rest is leading the your audience into believing what you want without straight-up telling them; make them believe it was their own revelation. This is not to say that Dumbledore would not have been allowed to be gay, however, it is hard to see what she is saying. The few potential links to the alleged sexual preference are weak at best, a mere grasping at straws if you will.
In Chronicles of Narnia, C.S. Lewis uses the character of Aslan as a portrayal of the Christians Savior, Jesus Christ. Lewis did not go on tour and at the end say, “Oh by the way, Aslan is Jesus and he will take you to eternal joy!” Whether Rowling wants Dumbledore or not, it was up to her to have portrayed this to the reader throughout the whole series, or even as a bomb-shell in the books, but the time for this has passed. If in another millennia archeologist unearthed her books, would they know for certain, or at all, this new life style of Dumbledore. For Rowling to make this claim now would be about as hard as saying Harry Potter is a female. The evidence is not there to support this claim, plus, validity for Rowling has been lost on the single grounds that she had to inform the world to this new claim.
The sub-theme is not valid, as is not present in the books, and it sure as hell is not valid just because she “always saw Dumbledore as gay.” (Rowling, 2007. Interview) We had to see him as gay as well for it to be true literary quality.
Please, all of you crazed Harry Potter fans, do not attempt to kill me for my condemning words for J.K. Rowling. I do understand your views as I am one of you. I still love and adore this series and do still hold Rowling in the deepest respect as a writer. I see her as pure genius in the writing of Harry Potter and thank her for sharing this world of excitement and magical adventure with us all.
Thanks to everyone who has posted in a clean and professional manner; to you I write.
ses5909
this is totally unrelated so I apologize in advance, but i am LOVING the pink argyle!
BlueAbbot
“f J.K. Rowling wanted Dumbledore to be gay, either she needed to make it more apparent via more info in the story line (building it into his characterization) …”
James, what book of author’s rules does this come from? There is no reason that an author needs to be explicit with every part of every character’s motivations and background; sometimes such conceptions merely help the author herself to better understand the character. Indeed, I think some of the best fictional worlds are ones in which it is clear that there is life beyond that which is spelled out in the book.
In fact, much great literature (and many great movies) deliberately AVOID being so explicit as a way to get the reader to bring his own life experiences and imagination and intelligence into play. I know I’ve had many good discussions with friends about what was or wasn’t real in a film. If it’s all spelled out, then why bother?
You contrast Rowling’s lack of explicitness with C.S Lewis, who made it pretty obvious what he was really writing about. Personally, I always felt beaten about the head by the lack of subtlety in the Aslan character. I never understood why he bothered creating a story that was such a literal copy of the Jesus story. Perhaps if it had been less obvious it would have been more of a catalyst for thought.
Sinister
What? Black, Hispanic and Religion share no similarities with being gay. Please re-think your post.
Jen
Ok so maybe it was an odd retort, but being gay is still being human just like you and me. I honestly see nothing wrong with it. Hell, I dated a girl in highschool. Actually, two girls. And I’m perfectly normal! Married too.
Sinister
Jen
I see the choice of being gay as a wrong. I could go into detail explaining why it’s abnormal or wrong but there may be others that may not want to read the details. Think about a man and woman and how children are created.
Jennifer
I noticed alot of people saying Rowlings should have made it more prevelant in the book that dumbledore was gay. Honestly some others see there characters as living being and dont “Make” the character but see the characters life. Many authers say that ” they wrote the book to see what would happen to the characters” or” what would happen”. as far as being gay is ok. I think its both born and taught but either way im fine with it because i am gay. Ive known all my life that i was at least different and most of my life ive believed i was going to hell…. Also for those who know anything about Rowlings she has said she didnt write this as a childrens book she wrote the books for herself.
As to sinisters comment. Yes your right. But is everything that makes sense to you right. What if someone sees something that makes sense to them that doesnt make sense to you. If we all believed and acted the same way the world would be very dull indeed. I see being gay as a possibility in life something that makes me different and makes life more interesting for others. Instead of being stuck on what a person is maybe think about who the person is. If there a good person, what does it matter what they do with there life.
Person
It sounds like Sinister is talking about Natural Law Theory. If you wish to learn about it, read Aristotle or Thomas Aquinas, then re-think your position on homosexuality.
Dumb-e ledore
Yes. I am a fag and damn proud of it. If only JK had written me in with a few love scenes I would have been happier then ever.
Get used to it straighties! There t’aint nver been anything wrong with being gay and if I want to come out of the closet, I will.
Eathiln
I personally don’t see what the big deal is. JK was asked a question by a fan, and she answered it to the best of her ability.
I feel that she is totally justified to say what she said. Just because this is a children’s book doesn’t mean a character can’t be gay. What, are we just going to deny its existence? Besides, Harry Potter has plenty of dark themes in it: death, corruption, murder… it’s all there. I hardly heard any protest on those subjects in the books.
I do hope the world will be more accepting towards the subject of homosexuality.
Sinister - I’ll leave you to your own beliefs, but please, try to understand things from another point of view. Being Homosexual is being different, as is being a different race or gender. Can you be wrong for loving somebody?
hi there
err sinister, it actually doesnt matter what YOU think about being gay. Its not the point, you and me might not think its ok to be gay or whatever, but everyone has a right to make what decisions they like, if thats how u feel about it. Or you dont think people are “free”? Also, Rowling is the author and can obviously write anything she wants (almost), and obviously she thinks its ok to be gay. If she cant write about it because SOME people dont approve of it, then i guess you cant say things I dont approve of?
And yes babys are created a certain way. That has nothing to do with being gay…
hi there
oh and btw person, its seems like you share views with aristotle who hated gays, females and people from other parts of the world… i guess we should listen to him becasue he was a great scientist thousands of years ago.
maybe you should re-think your position on aristotle?
Mike
Aristotle lived in a time when bisexuality was the norm and homosexual relations were thought of as the purest form of love.
I agree that Aristotle’s views were conservative, but racial, religious and sexual tolerance back then was far more advanced than we are now.
For all those who have a problem with Dumbledore’s orientation: Grow up!
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