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Update: Dumbledore was gay, says 'Potter' author 
OCTOBER 19, 2007 at 9:32 PM
Posted by CHEESER
Source: HPANA
Answering a question posed to her at tonight's book reading at Carnegie Hall in New York, Harry Potter author JK Rowling said she "always saw Dumbledore as gay" and that the Hogwarts headmaster originally fell in love with the wizard Grindelwald in his youth.
Rowling also said she had read through a script for the movie adaptation of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and corrected a passage in which Dumbledore was reminiscing about a past female lover by crossing it out and scrawling "Dumbledore is gay" in the margin.
Upon hearing her response, a hush fell over the audience in attendence and then applause exploded. Rowling remarked that if she had known that would be the response, she would've revealed her thoughts on Dumbledore "years" earlier.
More on tonight's event to follow shortly, including the full question and answer segment!
(Dumbledore fan art by Lisa M. Rourke
. Used with permission.)
UPDATE: A recap of tonight's event: Keith Olbermann, from MSNBC, introduced Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling at tonight’s last event in the States on her "Open Book Tour." In tonight’s session with over 2,000 fans in attendance J.K. answered 16 fan questions in which she revealed the above story as well as Neville’s and Hagrid’s martial status and the job occupations of Harry’s parents.
Jo read from chapter 19, after a Horcrux was destroyed and Ron returned to Harry and Hermione. The author took on the voices of each of the characters making sure that Hermione's anger at Ron was projected to the audience. At one point Jo lost her composure when she read the line "No, I heard you coming out of my pocket," which she did not finish, as the audience broke out in laughter.
Below is a summary of the questions and answers from tonight's event (paraphrased):
She was surprised that no one had ever asked her what Dumbledore's wand was made of. If ever asked this question she would have simply said "It's made of Elder" and left it at that.
In answering a question about Neville and finding love, Jo said that he married the landlady from the Leaky Cauldron (which happened to be Hannah Abbott), and that living above the Leaky Cauldron would have impressed his students at Hogwarts.
When asked why she chose Molly to kill Bellatrix she replied that she wanted to (1) show that Molly was an extremely talented witch even though she spent most of her time in the kitchen, and (2) she wanted to compare the obsession Bellatrix had with Voldemort to Molly's maternal love for her children.
The next question referred to what would have occurred if Arthur had died in Order of the Phoenix. Jo said that it would have changed books fix, six and seven and that Ron's character would have lost his sense of humor and taken away Harry's refuge at the Weasley home. She also mentioned that Ron's humor stemmed from insecurities and immaturity and that he was the last to become an adult, by facing his fears in the last book.
When eight-year-old Mia asked about Aberforth's goat, Jo asked her age and said that just for her the answer would be "that the goats were easy to keep clean and that they had curly horns," as the audience roared with laughter.
Now for the question that stunned the audience - Did Dumbledore love anyone? Jo started to say, "I always saw Dumbledore as gay" as a hush fell on the audience followed by a excited response by all in attendance. She went on to say that she had recently read the script for Half-Blood Prince and noticed a passage in which Dumbledore recalled a past female love – she immediately crossed out the passage and added the words "Dumbledore is gay" in the margin.
When asked about parseltongue, Jo answered that Ron had mastered one sound but it wouldn't be a language someone could learn.
What was in Dumbledore's letter to the Dursleys in book one? Jo responded by saying that Petunia had wanted to go to Hogwarts and by taking in Harry she was taking in a part of the world that she never participated in.
Then next question is one that many fans have answered themselves in reference to the Basilisk and why did it not kill Voldemort's soul in Harry. Rowling stated that Harry was not destroyed beyond repair because Fawkes was around to heal him but later was conveniently absent when other Horcruxes were destroyed.
Jo replied that Harry did not consult with Dumbledore's portrait for three reasons: (1) The portrait was not available as it was at Hogwarts, (2) Dumbledore didn't want to tempt Harry with the Hallows but wanted him to learn of them slowly due to Harry's flaws and (3) it was too easy and there wouldn't be much of a plot.
When asked to confirm that the Death Eaters were based on the Nazis, Jo answered by saying that it was a conscience decision, people will die and that you shouldn’t believe what your government or newspapers tell you.
When Jo reminisced about completing the first versus the last book she said that it was very similar and that her husband, who was in attendance, hated her for a few weeks because she was unbearable to live with.
After Jo had answered the initial 12 questions a spokesperson from Scholastic revealed that four additional questions would be asked by sweepstakes winners in the audience. First up asked if Malfoy owed Harry a life-debt and Jo stated that there was no magical tie between the two but that Malfoy had to be forever grateful to Harry for saving his life (which is evident in the last chapter of book seven when they meet at platform 9¾).
Donna, from the very top of Carnegie Hall was next in line and after sprinting down the stairwell she breathlessly asked, "What were the careers after graduation of James, Lily, Sirius and Lupin?" Jo said Lupin was unemployable and impoverished because of his condition and that James, Lily and Sirius were employed full-time in the Order of the Phoenix (James was rich and that's how they lived).
When asked did Hagrid ever find love, the audience sighed and Jo responded that she should probably change her answer but that, no, he never did.
The last question of the night referred to Snape's portrait and Rowling answered that Harry would have insisted it be hung in the headmaster's office at Hogwarts but that he probably would not have visited it to converse with Snape. Jo is still surprised when she reads that fans are torn about Snape, who is a complicated character, and unequivocally stated that Snape was "bitter, vindictive and mean."
A special thanks goes to Alisha for inviting HPANA to the event. Geri would like to say on a personal note that the night was brilliant and awesome and that seeing J.K. face-to-face was something that she never thought would happen! You can see some photos from the event here.
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226-230
Witch
Points: 812
OffTheLoop says:
wow. Dumbledore. I wonder what the screenwriter thought when she added that little note to the script. :) and yay for Neville with Hannah!
Posted Oct 20, 2007 at 5:12 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1063
Ravenclaw Tower Dude says:
I just can't tell you how disapointing this is.
"And that's all I have to say about that."
-Forest Gump
Posted Oct 20, 2007 at 5:21 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 494
MarieSophie says:
wow, Dombledore gay, never thought of that. pretty cool actually:)
And Neville got married to Hannah Abbot. So sweet. I`m so glad:)
Posted Oct 20, 2007 at 5:34 PM EST
Witch
Points: 922
PhoenixThestral says:
Oh my God! I knew it, I so knew it! I mean, they got so close in just one summer. And those exchanges of letters at all times too. Although, I'm kind of surprised that she actually said it.
JK is fearless, absolutely fearless. Hahaha. I love her.
Posted Oct 20, 2007 at 6:19 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 330
WendyPotter says:
wow. totally unexpected. this'll probably make authors write slash Dumbleodre fanfics...not really my thing. anyways...wow. just wow.
~*~Wendy~*~
Posted Oct 20, 2007 at 6:28 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2786
HufflepuffActress says:
So I always thought that if Dumbledore loved a woman it should be McGonagall but I never got the feeling they were together. I did sort get the feeling there might have been something between Dumbledore and Grindelwald.
I do thing that Albus Dumbledore had a instantly high IQ when you do it is often very hard to speak to normal people. I not even considering dumb people just people who have average intelligent.
I am happy to hear that Jo did include a gay character but did not make a big deal about it.
I am glad to hear that Neville did get married. And yes his students would think it was cool he lived at the Leaky Cauldron.
Poor Hagrid never getting to be in love.
Well, he was always a really snazzy dresser…[Raven Elf Song]
That he was but I do know some gay guys who are not Snazzy dressers. Now as in 2007 there are metrosexuals (straight men who have wonderful gay qualities) but maybe back in the day it was just the gays.
I wonder who else is gay at Hogwarts, Minerva possibly [Allenoray Mozart]
Well the popular theory has been Madam Hooch and she is paired with McGonagall.
Christian right: ready to blow. Just another reason not to read the books. [humes]
Ha Ha good point you made me smile.
Posted Oct 20, 2007 at 6:51 PM EST
Squib
Points: 123
cshorte says:
Wow! Would have never guessed it. I thought the head line was a joke at first.
Posted Oct 20, 2007 at 7:07 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1421
Wulfric_Brian says:
Yes! I never expected it, but looking back there were clues. As someone else said, he did know how to dress right, and whenever a woman's hat popped out of a cracker he swapped it for his pointed hat immediately.
I never pictured DD being married or anything, anyway. Now he's out of the closet!
Posted Oct 20, 2007 at 7:07 PM EST
Squib
Points: 164
SixArmedJesus says:
On a personal level, I don't care whether or not Dumbledore is gay. I have my doubts, but for the most part I don't care that Jo announced it. There IS one thing that bothers me about the whole ordeal, though: Her timing on announcing it.
I know that for her, an author, it doesn't affect her so much, but there are still two movies to come out. There are already groups that go out and protest the books and movies on the basis of witchcraft. Now these people are going to have what they see as a "real" reason for protesting the upcoming movies and harassing those that go see them. For those that are all rear-end-retentive about the whole witchcraft thing, for them, this just justifies that they knew "something is going on in the Potter stories that the author was trying to teach the kids." Many of these types view homosexuality as a bigger threat than witchcraft because it's more tangible. With this being the case, I fear that the protest groups at the movies are going to grow, and it puts children that go to see them at risk of being attacked (either physically or emotionally) by these groups.
My only wish about the whole thing is that Jo had waited until the final movie was out and done to announce this one.
And for the record, I always thought that if I had to point to anyone in the story as being gay, it would have been Tom Riddle and/or Peter Pettigrew.
Posted Oct 20, 2007 at 7:13 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1540
Severus' Advocate says:
It's quite a funny shock actually, but when you think back it doesn't seem so surprising...it's just something I never thought of. Dumbledore was very old yet had no kids known of, no mentioned wife, girlfriend, nothing. The only known close relationship we know of is with Grindelwald, who could have been his boyfriend? Hahah. And remember in the Riddle memories in Half Blood Prince the eccentric clothes he wore, I mean Dumbledore is eccentric by nature but his clothing style may have been actually, quite gay. "The younger Albus Dumbledore's long hair and beard were auburn. Having reached their side of the street, he strode off along the pavement, drawing many curious glances due to the flamboyantly cut suit of plum velvet that he was wearing. "Nice suit, sir," said Harry, before he could stop himself, but Dumbledore merely chucked."
Dumbledore gay? yeah I can see that.
Sirius bisexual? I saw this mentioned, I could see that too.
Posted Oct 20, 2007 at 7:14 PM EST
Witch
Points: 803
ShiningShina says:
Wow--cue the bulging eyes. I cannot believe this; it was like the last thing I would ever expect. Wow.
Posted Oct 20, 2007 at 7:27 PM EST
Magical Menagerie Madam
Points: 7179
KimUnicorn says:
Go Dumbledore! :)
However, I'm slightly disappointed she disclosed this...I never had an eye on Dumbledore as a sexual being. And now this slices into the fanbase of conservative types who liked the books despite the magic and are now going to be incensed that there was a gay character and lead the charge in mass hysterical book bannings.
My answer to those types is: He has always been gay, and you liked the books. Nothing has really changed. Dumbledore is still Dumbledore. The good side still prevailed.
*laughs* Dumbledore and Slughorn...There's a combination.
Posted Oct 20, 2007 at 7:31 PM EST
Custodian of Miracles
Points: 3204
MadamDumbledore says:
No no no no no no no! (I could go on - believe me.)
Dumbledore can't be gay. Just because he's wise and sweet and kind and thoughtful and has.. um ..unusual dress sense, doesn't mean that he is not interested in the female sex. I like to think of Dumbledore as loving all of humankind. Guess I want him to be asexual.
Well, he will always be that way to me. :)
Posted Oct 20, 2007 at 7:33 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 14
PeevesFan14 says:
I cant believe this! I would NEVER expect Rowling to say this herself? I will never be able to read the books/or watch the movies in the same way again.
Posted Oct 20, 2007 at 7:54 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1088
SlytherinHeiress says:
Wow! That was one thought that crept into my mind while reading DH, but, my God. That's something I did not expect to be fact! I think it's great that Jo has shown so much diversity in the characters of the series. It doesn't change the wonderful character I see Dumbledore as. And just to think, I was concerned with how Gambon portrays Dumbledore because I thought he portrayed him incorrectly by making him appear gay.
And as a side note, I think it's a beautiful way for Jo to show that one should all give those who choose different paths the same respect and love that one would anyone else. Jo, you are awesome!
Posted Oct 20, 2007 at 7:56 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1857
DarkPhoenixRising says:
I love that Dumbledore is gay! That is so freaking awesome!!! JK will never cease to amaze me...
Posted Oct 20, 2007 at 8:40 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1461
Feelin' Felix Felicis says:
Dumbledore gay? I'm not sure how to take that. I love how Jo just keeps givig us more and more infor on all the characters future lives and I'm glad that Neville found love and in the sweet Hannah Abbott too!
Posted Oct 20, 2007 at 8:46 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1157
MollyMomma says:
I find this news extremely disturbing, and the timing of the release of the news. Like someone mentioned earlier, now they're probably going to capitalize on this for the 6th and 7th movie, trying to make some sort of stand out of a tidbit of side knowledge that really had nothing to do with the flow and content of the books. I've read a lot of comments, and nobody wants to stand up for what is right. Please, throw all the tomatoes you want my way, but I am disappointed in JKR. I know these were originally children's books, though not so much toward the end, and sexual persuasions should not belong in a children's world. I'm just glad none of that actually appeared in the books. Since she said, "I always thought..." I will just always NOT think of it, and continue to think of Dumbledore as an old bachelor of choice. The books are superbly written, not needing to add a gay character to appease that portion of the population. And no, I do not...repeat, do not hate gays. I just don't see the purpose to make him such. I cannot be tolerant of out and out sin. There. Hate me as much as you need to, but remember I am a devout Harry Potter fan also, and being tolerant means tolerant of everyone's opinion and choice, gay or not.
Posted Oct 20, 2007 at 9:28 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1958
HermioneLunaGinny says:
WHOO NEVILLE MARRIED HANNAH! That's awesome!
Sorry.
So Dumbledore's gay.
For some reason it doesn't surprise me. I wonder why it doesn't so much. Now I feel really bad because he had his heartbroken because of Grindelwald. Poor guy. *pats DD on head*
Posted Oct 20, 2007 at 9:40 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2610
H/HrShipper4Ever says:
Oh my gosh!! I can't believe this!! My friend just called me and told me this. I couldn't belive her and I just had to go on this site and check if she wasen't ;aying.. and she wasen't!!I'm still in shock! Wow.. This will take me some time to calm down after reading this story.
Posted Oct 20, 2007 at 9:49 PM EST
Witch
Points: 816
crazyeme says:
I'm disappointed that JKR decided to do this. I feel as if she's saying this to get HP back in the spotlight again... a publicity stunt. I really do not see the point in her saying at this point that Dumbledore is gay. Dumbledore was so complex and mysterious that I never paid much mind to his sexuality. I accepted him as JKR presented him: sort of neutral. It never bothered me if he ever loved someone really. If she had talked about all of the other important teacher's love lives it would have been different. I know she talks about Snape but that's a bit different because it's a key part of the plot, and she only mentions Madam Pince and Filch in passing. If she had spoken of McGonagall, Trelawney, Lupin or even Flitwick romantically and left out Dumbledore then I would I wondered. (Didn't he dance with some female teacher at the Yule ball?) I just figured that Harry Potter was already so complicated with Harry's life and Snape and Voldemort and harry's scr and blah blah just she just thought that in depth romance would have been too much to stuff into the book... I guess it's the same reason why I never gave much thought about Dumbledore's childhood either, until the last book... We never hear anything much about the other adult characters' childhoods with the exception of Hagrid and Snape, which wasn't really much.
I was happy never thinking of Dumbleodre's sexuality, and somehow, now, I don't see him as Dumbledore anymore. Wasn't it enough that she dropped the bombshell that Dumbledore wasn't as perfect as we thought he was, in book 7? When I reread my Harry Potter books it'll never be the same anymore. At the back of my head I'll always be thinking that the wise old headmaster was gay... It's not that anything is wrong with homosexuals... it's just that I think this was an inappropriate time to come out of the blue and announce that Dumbledore was gay. She had 10 years when she was writing the books and even the few weeks of interviews after book 7 was released when she spoke of what happened to the other characters and their jobs etc to say it. But noooo she just decides "Hey people, Dumbledore is gay!" when everyone is least expecting it. Not to mention she's making life more difficult for younger children who like Harry Potter because now all of those "Christian" Harry Potter hating people are going to have more of a reason to hate Harry Potter and harrass and bash those who love it. In my opinion, it was totally unneccessary for her to say such a thing... I think I like her and HP less now... *sigh* Why couldn't she have just let Dumbledore rest in peace? Curse whoever asked her about Dumbledore's love life.
Posted Oct 20, 2007 at 10:14 PM EST
Squib
Points: 117
ebabysmom says:
I was there on Friday night and indeed JK said he was gay. I don't think it was a planned thing though. The girl that asked the question started out by telling Jo how much the HP books meant to her and how they helped her understand relationships, and grow as a person, etc. She was a bit emotional after she said it all. Then she asked, since love was such an important part of HP, had Dumbledore ever been in love. Jo said, well, you were so honest with me about how HP has affected your life, I feel I need to be honest with you. She paused, and said "I've always thought of Dumbledore as gay." I wouldn't say the crowd was hushed -- more like we all gasped. Everyone burst out with applause and laughter for a long time! She then went on to explain how he had been in love with Grindenwald and that's why losing him had such an impact on his life and changed his views so much. She didn't mention whether Grindenwald returned his affections or if he was even aware of it.
It was very cool!
Posted Oct 20, 2007 at 10:19 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2766
Tenshi says:
What happened to the link to the pictures? Darn the 404 =(
And wow. I would never have thought that. DD really was odder than most... in a good way =)
Posted Oct 20, 2007 at 10:37 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1672
Ron+Hermione_4ever says:
And to think I had to find out about this on msn.com with my friends over, who don't realy care for HP.
My mouth was to the floor!!
Big surprise JKR, thats for sure, but when you think about is she did say he, and Grindelwald(sp) spent a lot of time together. haha.. [had to say it.]
I don't think I ever would've thought he would be gay, but there's nothing wrong with that. He's still the same DD to me, just with a twist. haha
Posted Oct 20, 2007 at 11:57 PM EST
Wizard
Points: 699
Crookshanks the Auror says:
Oh my gosh! I never knew... that is awesome about Dumbledore! I wish that Jo would have said something about it in the book... such a sad way to realize he loved Grindelwald...
Posted Oct 21, 2007 at 12:19 AM EST
Head Girl
Points: 464
luna_moon says:
Joanne Kathleen Rowling, I love you. But not the same way Dumbledore loved Grindelwald ;).
This does make me think of the Rita Skeeter article in the seventh book when she talks about Dumbledore and Harry having something like an unhealthy relationship...I joked around with my mom that, well, of course, they were having a secret gay affair. Kinda funny now...
~Abby
Posted Oct 21, 2007 at 12:25 AM EST
226-230
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