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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
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
Muggle
Points: 43
Rip 'N' Snort says:
Scarlett Kent... VERY well said. Round of applause...
...and MadamDumbledore, not ALL Christians are judgemental people. Some Christians will pick out what they want to display their Homophobia and reinforce their predjudices. Some believe Christianity is about love, understanding and acceptance. If you wanna use the Bible as an exuse for condemnation, then any woman committing adultary should be stoned to death... Not acceptable? Why? It's in the Bible!
Dumbledore is an embodiment of love, understanding and goodness. The fact that he is gay doesn't alter that in any way...
Posted Oct 21, 2007 at 7:49 PM EST
Auror
Points: 3571
HufflepuffActress says:
To me Jo just made the books all the more real. It is ignorant to think that no one in the HP world was gay. I think it is a positive move. Jo is a role model and it she has no problem with a character being gay then it shows children it might not be as big as a deal to be gay as they thought.
Posted Oct 21, 2007 at 7:52 PM EST
Friendly Deaf Angel
Points: 5268
Friendly Deaf Angel says:
[/b]MadamDumbledore[/b]Um i am catholic, and i am cool about it. I dont have any poblem with DD been gay. and i know it is going to be hard on some people becasue of what Jo said. But i am cool about it.
Posted Oct 21, 2007 at 8:06 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1262
TheSeventhHorcrux says:
I first found out about Dumbledore being gay in a text message from my mom, and I have to say I was surprised. I never would have thought of him as being that way, but I'm not disappointed about it.
As for all those questions, it's always great getting more and more information about the pasts and futures of the characters. I am thrilled every time I get some new facts about them, especially because there are no books to answer them for me (with the exception of the pending encyclopedia).
Posted Oct 21, 2007 at 8:18 PM EST
Points: 62
doublethink84 says:
Whats the use of having a gaydar if it doesn't function correctly? I never knew.
mumble.....mumble...
Posted Oct 21, 2007 at 8:32 PM EST
Mrs. Roonil Wazlib
Points: 2494
weasleyskeepingme says:
I am beyond shocked!! That really makes you think about how society imposes heterosexuality on people. You go Dumbledore!!
Posted Oct 21, 2007 at 8:42 PM EST
Witch
Points: 634
Tammyant says:
Well, I was completly shocked...but not in a bad way...just in a shocked way. I never saw DD as a sexual being...somehow he seemed beyond that to me. I always thought of him as otherworldly...not to be brought down to a mere human level by getting invloved with such things as romance. His mission was to serve the greater good...save the world...defeat evil...the idea of him getting hot and bothered just doesn't seem consistant with his character.
I guess that's why I'm shocked that he's gay. It makes him more human to me. I guess, in a way, that's what the whole 7th book was about. The fact that he had flaws.
I'm glad that he faced his demons and defeated Grindlewald. He didn't let his feelings get in the way of his mission. In the end, his priorities remained intact. As do my feelings for him...complete awe.
Posted Oct 21, 2007 at 9:06 PM EST
Witch
Points: 792
blossom says:
WOW....
Dumbledore being gay, is just another piece of the jigsaw that makes up this fantastic puzzle we know and love as "Harry Potter".
Dumbledore's sexuality doesn't change the story at all, it just adds depth to his character.
Posted Oct 21, 2007 at 9:25 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1966
DanFan723 says:
aaaawwww! That is so awesome that Dumbledore was gay. It seems wierd but when you start thinking about it, what else was he! He's awesome and I love him even more now!
Posted Oct 21, 2007 at 10:28 PM EST
Witch
Points: 657
siriusluv says:
I think it's terrible that JKR decided to make Dumbledore gay. I am another one of the Christians who have defended the HP books for years. I really believed that JK was a christian deep down, with the number 7 constantly showing up in the books, with the death eaters who seem like nazis, and one special boy who is the world's savior, so much for that. JKR should have warned parents from the beginning. This is like being half way through a book before you find out that it's title is "Becky has 2 mommies".
Posted Oct 21, 2007 at 10:49 PM EST
Minister of Disinformation
(Moderator)
Points: 9690
Geri says:
Now for my 2 cents: JKR only mentioned this on Friday because someone specifically asked her if Dumbledore had ever been in love, a simple question that had never been asked before. She answered honestly & if the question hadn't been asked, we might not have ever found out. If someone had asked before she would have answered, I believe - they didn't till now, so such is life.
Frankly, the news was not important to the story/plot, as are other Profs. private lives while teaching at Hogwarts & doesn't change my perception of the character, because that's all he is & all he will ever be.
Posted Oct 21, 2007 at 11:03 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1782
TheOtherMinister says:
I know you are all going to HATE me for this… but I’m a little disappointed. I’m a catholic and I was raised in a conservative environment, so I’m not very happy with Dumbledore being gay. I always thought of him as a fighter/ grandfather sort of figure. Jo could have kept that to herself, because now stupid people, such as Laura Mallory, will start saying Harry Potter has homosexual messages and all sorts of crap. I’m not a homophobic, I’m just not used to this, but I guess I’ll have to live with it.
Posted Oct 22, 2007 at 2:45 AM EST
Magical Sanitary Supplier
Points: 2518
5225 says:
So many insightful informations. They can be insignificant at first, but Jo really has a way of making them crucial parts of knowing the characters. Bravo!
Posted Oct 22, 2007 at 7:43 AM EST
Witch
Points: 500
the Half-Blond Princess says:
When I read Book 7,I thought there was some deep (and maybe romantic) connection between Dumbledore and Grindelwald. I thought it was just my imagination but turns up it wasn't. :)
I just feel sorry for the people who say they're "disappointed" of him or Jo and stuff.
Posted Oct 22, 2007 at 8:30 AM EST
Prefect
Points: 385
means03 says:
I really could have done without knowing that piece of information about Dumbledore...I don't think I'll be able to look at the books the same way now. As an almost obsessive fan of the books, that's really going to make me not want to read these anymore...I'm saddened.
Posted Oct 22, 2007 at 8:56 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 8
x-Fran-x says:
What is everyone's problem with Dumbledore being gay?!
He was gay GET OVER IT!?
If you can't get past that then I feel pity for you.
Posted Oct 22, 2007 at 10:55 AM EST
Prefect
Points: 337
Cindy Weasley says:
Awww, I wish I could have been there. I suspected as much though. When Aberforth complained about Dumbledore and Grindelwald's relationship it was a thought that had crossed my mind.
Posted Oct 22, 2007 at 11:56 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1589
BB_Sectumsempra says:
Honestly.. I feel sort of betrayed. Throughout seven books we got to learn more about Dumbeldore and develop this idea of him, and now, at the end of everything we are told of this important fact about Dumbeldore. It is just strange that we should find out at the end of everything.
Posted Oct 22, 2007 at 12:58 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1647
Hermione's younger sister says:
Wow, that has a lot of good information. I can't believe she considered dumbledore gay. I never thought I'd dislike him. He always represented something good and positive for me. He was my hero.
Posted Oct 22, 2007 at 3:10 PM EST
Squib
Points: 182
hmbrpm1146 says:
I was surprised, but not in a bad or a good way. It was just unexpected information. And any information directly from JK is always appreciated.
What does shock me is the comments. Most people are okay, but quite a few comments are shocking. I don't mean shocking in the choice of words, but in the true meaning the comments impart.
Most people say how they do not have problems with gays and that they have gay friends, etc, but then proceed to say how disturbing this news is. If these people were indeed tolerant, then guess what, this news would not disturb you. Be honest and admit you don't like it. Don't pretend to understand/tolerate if you don't. No one will be offended, because in the end it doesn't really matter.
For those who think this should have been explained from the beginning, my questions is why? Why should there have been something in the books about DD being gay? When or where was it important to know this? Are there things gay people do or say that automatically makes them gay? Do gay people use different words/behavior? Was JK expected to change what DD said and how he acted to make sure his sexuality came across through the pages? Just because your gay it does not mean you react or behave differently than if your straight.
To say that he has changed because he is gay is ridiculous. Was he supposed to walk around sporting a rainbow flag and saying, "Hi, I'm Dumbledore, I'm headmaster at Hogwarts, I love purple, and I'm gay. Now let's listen to Barbra Streisand and see a musical."?
The issue with people who do not like this news is that to them a gay person cannot be any of the things DD is. They have the stereotypical gay concept in their minds and any deviation is unacceptable.
Stop hiding behind concern for the younger children. Gay people exist is in the world and sexual orientation does not change who a person is. An ignorant bigot is still that regardless of who they fall in love with. Just as an intelligent, kind, good person is still the same even if they are a homosexual.
For those really sick people who are now suggesting DD saw Harry in any other way than as a son, please go to a psychiatrist and talk about your issues. That type of thinking is disturbing in so many ways. Being gay does not make you a sexual deviant. Please get help.
If you stop liking DD because of this or if this somehow makes you dislike the books or JK after all of your years defending and preaching how great both are, you have learned nothing from the HP books. DD still is what he was: an old, wise, compassionate man with flaws like everyone else. His sexuality was neither a flaw nor a virtue.
Posted Oct 22, 2007 at 3:47 PM EST
Yoda's love child
Points: 3618
Dementywhatsit says:
Wow! DD is gay !? The thought never even crossed my mind. My first thought when I found out was : Here we go again; there's going to be another attempt at banning HP in school libraries. I hope this revelation doesn't deter anyone from reading the books.
Posted Oct 22, 2007 at 3:58 PM EST
Perenne Sub Sole Nihil
Points: 19268
R. A. B. says:
That was the best news article i ever read on hpana!!!!!!! i liked the touch geri Gave it at the end too..
Posted Oct 22, 2007 at 5:29 PM EST
Order of the Phoenix
Points: 4073
Eleanor says:
*Laughs* Well I never thought that would happen! I didn't think for a moment that Dumbledore was gay. That is most certinally very intresting!
Also, I liked the questions as well!
Posted Oct 22, 2007 at 5:32 PM EST
Silly Squib
Points: 3772
Mat Madcat says:
I was rather surprised that Jo decided to reveal this about Dumbledore, but it doesn't in anyway change my feelings for the books or his character. I am still a little baffled about why she decided to speak on this now? It seems more like an after thought then a fact about Dumbledore. I wouldn't go so far to say she wanted the media attention because I don't believe her to be like that. But she obviously felt strongly enough about it to bring it to light.
The HBP isThat's horrible! I feel like vomiting
Nice open-minded behavior.
Posted Oct 22, 2007 at 5:38 PM EST
Student
Points: 256
sock_puppie says:
I'm happy JK is answering some questions, although Dumbledore is gay? That kind of caught me in a loop but eh. I'm happy Neille got married, and Hannah dosn't really surprise me either :).
I'm, also shocked nobody asked who Draco's wife was?
I'm happy she is answering questions about what everyone else was doing. Thats nice :)
Posted Oct 22, 2007 at 5:45 PM EST
226-229
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