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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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226-229
Student
Points: 203
Hollix says:
....HAHAHA!
Dumbledore!GAY!HAHAHA!
I cannot believe Dumbledore fell in love with Grindelwald..Grindelwald!!!HAHAHA!
Posted Oct 21, 2007 at 1:34 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2391
Oddment Tweak says:
This is interesting. I am not sure how to process this. It doesn't really bother me-- it's more that there seems to be kind of a disconnect: You never really get a hint of this throughout the books, and like several have said, he seemed almost asexual (I know that this isn't exactly "possible" even with monks or celibate people--i'm sure they have thoughts too).
The only part of this that makes sense is the love for Grindewald. The rest seems like something out of a fan fiction. I guess part of it is that we never really got any hint throughout the books that so much of the story was actually focused on Dumbledore. I had just decided today, about an hour before discovering this, that THAT was my complaint with the books: 1-6 are ALL Harry, and about how DD had to die so Harry could push through on his own.. and then in 7, it turns out that nearly the whole focus is DD's life-- and that not only that, probably the point of the whole series was Dumbledore's struggle.
I think that she should have put more of it in the rest of the series (how much focus there was on Dumbledore's life in general). We have this whole series pointing to the Horcruxes and Harry vs. Voldemort, and then all of a sudden it's really Dumbledore and his intelligence and his obsession with the Deathly Hallows... I guess Ron and Hermione's confusion at Harry's sudden shift of focus to them kind of mirrors how I felt about the last book.
And that's kind of how I feel about her announcing this. It doesn't bother me that she has always thought of him as gay-- but the problem for me is that that's not how she developed his character, so it seems more like something someone wrote as a fanfiction than cannon.
I'm not sure I'll ever think of him like that, despite her saying this -- just because of the way she wrote him. One thing I do hope is that they don't "add" stuff to the movies to accomodate this. They'll have plenty of room to add what they want in movie 7 with Grindewald, but there's no hint elsewhere in the books, and they shouldn't change that for the movies, I think.
Posted Oct 21, 2007 at 2:54 AM EST
Custodian of Miracles
Points: 3264
MadamDumbledore says:
Snape's Buddha [xL.A], I think that people have reacted in the way that they have because Dumbledore has now been labeled. Before, he was an enigmatic character. He wasn't a character who gave of sexual vibes (so to speak). He was just sweet, old, wonderfully wise Dumbledore. His concerns were for the welfare of his magical world. We now have been presented with a quite a different picture of him.
It would have been nice to have left him alone so that our personal perceptions of him were left intact.
There are no other characters who have been labeled in regard to their sexual orientation. And that's because it is irrelevant to the storyline. Why start now and with Dumbledore?
I think it's really disappointing. Not so much because Dumbledore was gay, but because JKR felt the need to put the whole issue out there and (quite obviously) ruffle 'a few' feathers.
It's a real slap in the face for all those Christian HP fans who have defended her books over the years. :(
Posted Oct 21, 2007 at 3:10 AM EST
Lips of an Angel
Points: 26393
3.1415926535 says:
WHAT THE HECK!??!?!? AHHAHAHAH thats hilarious!!! but... WHAT THE?? dumbledore isnt allowed to be gay!!! hhaha thats so weird its funny!
Posted Oct 21, 2007 at 3:20 AM EST
Antipodean Snow Goddess
Points: 3071
Tikihaha says:
It doesn't change my feelings towards Dumbledore or the books in any way, shape or form. He is still a remarkable character, albeit a man with a painful past.
It kinda makes sense when you re-read those passages about his early relationship with Grindlewald though ....
Posted Oct 21, 2007 at 3:43 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 3
H.B. says:
That's so unethical!!HP story has gained a lot of young fans & to include such stuff is likely to arise parents concerns over their children's interest in HP.
I can't be convinced that that's how J.K. Rowling created him from the 1st place
Posted Oct 21, 2007 at 3:53 AM EST
Professor
Points: 1054
dracolady says:
Ok, I was quite shocked when i first heard about this. It's like, I didn't expect Rowling to say it. I don't know why, but it's just...unexpected. I had thought before, that he probably had some female lover who was never mentioned, or else he'd never fallen in love at all - no girl had ever attracted his attention.
Though I've got nothing against gay people. It's like, even though they may have different beliefs and values to the majority, they're still people and should not be isolated or thought of as "insane" just because they think on a different wavelength to the rest of us.
Posted Oct 21, 2007 at 4:08 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1909
Hermione5 says:
Oh my God! I was really surpsised! I though at first that this is some funny title, and than I read it all... All I have to say is that it was brave of her to make Albus come out of the closet this way in the end :) I'm happy that first we fell in love with the charcter so much, and now I don't think anybody would stop loving Dumbledore just because he was gay. It's a good lesson, as it was with all the other big subjects JK discussed in the series. :)
Posted Oct 21, 2007 at 5:28 AM EST
Kathe Mera Kalimera
Points: 7720
dominor says:
THe link won't open for me! :/ Anyway, wow, Dumbledore gay, Malfoy beeing grateful, Hagrid never finding true love.. I can't wait for her next book!
Posted Oct 21, 2007 at 6:39 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2141
Happy Pancakes says:
All that information was so awesome!! I didn't expect about Dumbledore but oh well what can you do!
But I love hearing all these little bits and pieces about who does what!
Posted Oct 21, 2007 at 8:15 AM EST
Wizard
Points: 766
St Lupin says:
Was surprised to hear it, but I'm still inclined for the reasons DD gave about why he folloowed and delayed defeating Grindelwald. I do not think his 'love' for him was that important or it would have neen mentioned or at least hinted further at in the DH book.
Posted Oct 21, 2007 at 8:21 AM EST
Delusional Army Soldier
Points: 4400
ILoveHP! says:
Darn I wish I was there! It was so once in a lifetime!
Those people were so, so, so, lucky!!!!!!!
Dumbledore is gay?! Woah JK. Unbelievable.
Posted Oct 21, 2007 at 8:55 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 75
Mrs.NickJonas says:
OH MY GOD!! Dumbledore gay! Wow, that's unexpected! I never thought...I mean...Well, now it's clear why it was never mentioned that he had a girlfriend or something... I just thought he is not interested in girls, but not in that way! Oh well... And of course, I still love HP, I don't know why should this change my opinnion, or anyone elses!!!
Posted Oct 21, 2007 at 8:58 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1453
smart hermione says:
L o l i never imagined that, then again i neve ponderd about dumbledre's love- life. Interesting information
Posted Oct 21, 2007 at 9:02 AM EST
Points: 8028
deemz says:
I screamed so loud when i read that Dumbledore was gay on Yahoo... haha, i never, not in a million years, would i have expected that!
Posted Oct 21, 2007 at 9:16 AM EST
Long Way from Happy
Points: 2952
OEHFICE says:
What the fudge? Did Dumbledore really need to be labeled? It's not that I have a personal moral issue with him being gay or anything, but it seems inappropriate for a children's book.
At first, I was surprised and found it amusing, but after thinking about it, I realized it was pointless to give Dumbledore a label. Nevertheless, my opinion of him doesn't change one single bit.
Posted Oct 21, 2007 at 9:27 AM EST
Prefect
Points: 334
The Grey Gent says:
That actually explains a lot! It did come across my mind that DD was gay because he talks about love all the time but never mentions his past love...Now it makes since.
And what do you think about Neville and Hannah getting married? I think it's adorable, but kind of out of the blue...And about Hagrid, I'm shocked! I was sure he'd end up with Maxim!
Posted Oct 21, 2007 at 10:18 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2337
SlytherinStarGazer says:
I never really thought of Dumbledore having any love life at all in the books to be honest, but now thinking back, all that seems to make sense is seeing him as Gay.
This was so cool, There were a lot of questions in there that I had wanted answered myself, Although There are still a couple...this was still awesome. :)
Posted Oct 21, 2007 at 12:42 PM EST
Lady of the Rings
Points: 4117
Padfoot4387 says:
Amazing questions! Amazing answers! Now all that's left is an encyclopedia about the HP world. Can't wait.
I hafta say that I never considered Dumbledore gay but that it does make sense, in a way. And poor Hagrid, for never finding love!
Posted Oct 21, 2007 at 2:05 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 329
The HBP is... says:
That's horrible! I feel like vomiting...
Posted Oct 21, 2007 at 2:13 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2108
phoenix_feathers says:
Dumbledore was gay!!! At first, I had no idea how to take this news; I was absolutely dumbfounded, to be quite honest. But then, I found myself smiling, to be honest. He was such an amazing man, he could have had any woman that he fancied, and yet, he was forced to destroy the only one that he had ever loved, Grindelwald. And this just goes to show- gay people are not weird at all. They are not dumber, fatter, ruder, less honorable, or anything of the sort. They are just as normal people, with different beliefs. Wow though... I would've never thought!
Posted Oct 21, 2007 at 2:18 PM EST
Witch
Points: 608
roxypotter13 says:
Excellent!!! I can't believe JK actually announced that! Fanfictions I can understand... but JK herself! That's amazing! I can't believe DD is gay! I've considered almost every other male character in HP that could be gay, except DD! I certainly wasn't expecting that. Ah... so he DID really love Harry! Hahahahahaha!
Posted Oct 21, 2007 at 3:57 PM EST
Witch
Points: 987
crazywitch says:
Wow more information about the characters, it is a surprise about Dumbledore but does make a lot of sense. Also nice to know that Neville got married, i'm so pleased :)
I always knew that Molly was a strong woman and a brilliant witch.
Posted Oct 21, 2007 at 4:22 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2209
Scarlett Kent says:
I think this is a great thing that JKR has said she always thought Dumbledore was gay. Why shouldn't he be? Gay people can be mentors, friends, teachers, partners, family and valued community members as well as any heterosexual person.
Unfortunately, this announcement will probably bring on a fresh round of attempted HP book bannings and a "see, we were right all along - the books are evil" attitude.
But "constant vigilance" on the part of those who seek a more loving and less prejudiced world will surely help bring it about.
What I am now curious about is whether this new fact from JKR will cause mass defections from HPANA on the part of those members whose religious beliefs and/or personal prejudices cause them to disdain or even hate homosexuality.
Posted Oct 21, 2007 at 5:07 PM EST
Custodian of Miracles
Points: 3264
MadamDumbledore says:
Scarlett Kent, why would you think that we'd "defect from HPANA"? Just because we have a belief system that has recently taken a bruising, doesn't mean that we down tools and walk away. Au contraire! We are not that shallow.
Despite the slap in the face, we'll hang in there and continue to love and discuss the books.
Just wish that Jo had not felt the need to slap a label on Dumbledore. This has made it so much harder for all the Christian HP fans who have defended the books over the years.
Try and see it from our point of view. We haven't had it easy over the years and it's just got a whole lot harder.
Posted Oct 21, 2007 at 5:39 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1589
BB_Sectumsempra says:
Shocked! I have always wondered why Dumbeldore wasn't married...he valued LOVE so much...he believed love was the most important thing in life...but this kinda explains it.
Posted Oct 21, 2007 at 6:32 PM EST
226-229
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