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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: 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
Prefect
Points: 364
Maynard Potter says:
Does this revelation diminish Dumbledore's deeds? No. Does it change how we feel about him? For some, maybe. Do I think this was a necessary 'after-fact' to announce? Not really. I know many gay professional people and count myself lucky to know them. They don't focus on their sexuality and I quite frankly don't think its necessary to focus on Dumbledore's, either. It makes no difference, though it plays nicely into JKR's desire to break down the walls of prejudice. Not all HP fans are mature enough yet to separate deeds from a fictional character's sexual orientation...he never hinted at it around Harry, so I chose to not let this piece of news taint The Greatest Sorcerer in the World's place in my heart. Balance people---its a fictional character's backstory.
Posted Oct 22, 2007 at 5:50 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 486
HPfan111286 says:
Unlike most of you here who support it DD being gay I dont... I have no problem with gay people... will and grace is one of my fav. shows... but HP was one thing in this world that wasnt affected by gay people or anything having to do with it... I kind of think she just said that b/c gay rights people were bugging her about why she didnt have a gay character in the series!!! She could have chosen ANY character ANY other character besides DD and I prob. wouldnt have cared as much... When so many people look up to DD and so many CHILDREN look up to him as well its just unbelievable... Granted he is a fictional character but I happen to be pretty attached to these books... I have grown up with Harry and everyone else and its like they are a part of my life and after a decade of being a fan im so upset and disappointed its not even funny... if there is any part in the next movie about dumbeldore being gay I swear i will NOT watch it!!! JK if you ever read this... you have severly disappointed me!!!
Posted Oct 22, 2007 at 5:56 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 1
Erikkka says:
Dumbledore is NOT GAY! We all read the books and she never wrote anything to make us even suspect that Dumbledore was gay. JK just said that to shock everyone and get back into the media spotlight. I thought she was a classy lady but I was wrong!!!!
Posted Oct 22, 2007 at 6:02 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 486
HPfan111286 says:
I completely agree Erikkka.... I never once got the feeling that dumbeldore was gay or that his relationship with grindlewald was a gay one at that... its not un common for boys of that age with esp. as much power as those two had to want to be good friends and talk to each other all the time... so I have made the decision to ignore this fact... but it still disappoints me very much!!!
Posted Oct 22, 2007 at 6:21 PM EST
Auror
Points: 3239
Tenshi says:
My gosh, I just jumped at this article because I'm doing a project for my religion class and my topic is homophobia! It really is sad how narrowminded people can be and how homophobic and heterosexist society is.
Posted Oct 22, 2007 at 7:05 PM EST
Witch
Points: 510
HermioneG101 says:
Wow. I never would have thought of this. I find it hard to believe! The reason I thought Dumbledore didn't have any relationships was because he was always too busy, that he didn't have enough time for family. He was always fighting the dark arts and protecting the muggles. But my dad tells me that the actor for Dumbledore is too gay. What an odd coincidence!
Posted Oct 22, 2007 at 7:40 PM EST
Ron's Love Advisor
Points: 5895
~Sarah~ says:
I was speechless when I read this. It shock...i though it was jsut a rumor until I read the actual interview myself. But I think it is kind of cool, for some reaosn I could not stop grinning.
and I love how jk commented on the fan fic that might come from this.
Posted Oct 22, 2007 at 7:47 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1514
MollyMomma says:
Okay, enough is enough. You don't need to be narrow-minded or homophobic to not appreciate Dumbledore being gay. People can have likes and dislikes *without* being insulted to be narrow-minded or shallow. Let's all keep our comments to how we feel about JK revealing this news and stop insulting fellow fans, who have just as much right to dislike the news as others do to enjoy it.
Posted Oct 22, 2007 at 8:44 PM EST
Student
Points: 242
ureshiikolichan says:
I think the questions were somewhat redundant, with the the interview she did a little after the book came out, but overall it was a nice refresher!
Posted Oct 22, 2007 at 8:51 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 68
saiyanwizardgurl says:
I'm a tiny bit sad that Rowling decided that Dumbledore was gay. Don't get me wrong, I'm not homophobic and some of my best friends are gay...maybe it's just because I felt more like he was your typical favorite grandfather figure. Or maybe it's that I don't see him as one to have acted on his feelings for Grindelwald (not that he would have had to in order to prove his sexuality). Of course, although none of the following prove that someone is gay, he was always well-dressed and in-touch with his emotional side. I don't feel that the series gave any major indications of this; anybody could make up allegations about any character and use any piece of "evidence" from the books to prove their point....
News like this always sparks fan fiction. I know that there are many ADMM shippers that will be crushed by Rowling's revelations, but thank goodness for AUs! It's not like a lot of fan fiction follows the series storyline; I mean, there's a lot of RLSB fans that are still in denial, even though Remus married Tonks and they had Teddy....
This fact does not change my feelings about Albus Dumbledore in the slightest. He's still one of the greatest wizards of all time, and he's still tied with Remus Lupin as my favorite character :).
Posted Oct 22, 2007 at 9:56 PM EST
Snape's Dream
Points: 3173
Wicked Witch says:
I'm just wondering, what topic in HBP had Dumbledore reveal his loves. Ewww.. HBP is going to be ewwww.. hahaha, yet I'll still see it opening day. ^_*
Posted Oct 22, 2007 at 10:06 PM EST
Witch
Points: 917
zxPurplezx says:
Dumbledore? Gay? ZOMG this is great! I just never thought of Dumbledore with anybody. This is so cool though L0L
Posted Oct 22, 2007 at 10:54 PM EST
Witch
Points: 917
zxPurplezx says:
Oh yeah, and I think i saw a comment on how Dumbledore was too wise to be gay. W.T.F!?
Posted Oct 22, 2007 at 11:00 PM EST
Student
Points: 217
ashleykhansen says:
I love that she made that comment about Dumbledore! Go JK for not backing down and speaking her mind! :)
Posted Oct 22, 2007 at 11:51 PM EST
Witch
Points: 690
Ginny_Weasley_Potter says:
Thank you HPANA for this great update, I never thought about Dumbledore being gay. I always thought that he just didn't have the time for love, and that he concentrate too much in teaching, but oh well good for him.
Posted Oct 22, 2007 at 11:54 PM EST
Squib
Points: 170
MisterPalindrome says:
Absolutlely ridiculous! It's no big deal whether Dumbledore was gay or not. But it's complete nonsense that it came out of nowhere. There's nothing in the books that allude to Dumbledore's sexuality, and it adds nothing to the overall Harry Potter story to make some random announcement about it now. If it was such an important fact, why wait until after the series is completed to make announce it? It seems like a complete cop out on JKR's part. My opinion of Dumbledore and the series remains unchanged. But I'm extremely dissapointed in JKR.
Posted Oct 23, 2007 at 1:14 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1895
Woofer says:
The fact that the man is gay doesn't change anything and is not relevant if you ask me. I don't mind that he is end it does not change the way I think about the character but why does Jo tell us this? there hasn't been any discussion or talks about the sexuality of characters. I think it is all a bit weird, just coming out of nowhere...
Posted Oct 23, 2007 at 3:32 AM EST
Wizard
Points: 559
Nikodemus Gilbert says:
At first, I'm not shocked, I'm just surprised - a little bit.
Dumbledore is gay. So what? I think nowadays it's not a problem to be gay, at least it shouldn't be. Dumbledore isn't another person now and he's still the greatest wizard in the world, the greatest headmaster hogwarts ever had and a decent fellow - that's why I like Dumbledore.
Posted Oct 23, 2007 at 3:55 AM EST
Prefect
Points: 370
Hermione "Hermy" Granger says:
I'm so happy that JK is so willing to embrace homosexual relationships. It's really a maturity beyond that of the rest of society. Go Jo!!!
Posted Oct 23, 2007 at 4:00 AM EST
Prefect
Points: 341
Mimbulus Mimbletonia says:
Ok... first of all I want to make sure everybody understands that I absolutely respect sex preferences and have nothing against someone being gay, lesbian, bisexual, etc.
But I think, and I don't have the slightest clue why, Rowling is consitently trying to shatter Dumbledore's image. She's being doing so since the beginning of book 7, with the "greater good" and not showing in a deep sense how Dumbledore may have made some "youth" mistakes and then turn into the wise person we've known until book 5 (besides Gambon does not help at all in resembling the Dumbledore most of as miss.. and of course it is the right turn for the rest of the books... LONG LIVE DEAR RICHARD HARRIS)...but after turnishing Dumbledore's reputation she now informs the world he was gay... sorry to say but I always thought that his friendship with Grindewald,when described in the 7th book, was a matter of brilliant minds getting together and recognizing each other.... like when two great scientists have the chance to meet and match their knowledge and recognize in each other words the answers and questions you always kept for yourself.. when you have felt kind of excluded from the rest of the world because you can not share your deep thoughts with anybody who can understand them. THAT IS THE KIND OF RELATIONSHIP I UNDERSTOOD THE BOOK WAS SHOWING. But it seems that the vision of Mrs.Rowling was not that noble.. because she took not the highest thinking thread but the one that has to merely do with sex.
I certainly hope she does not have anything else in her pocket... because it is ruining even more an already not very good book.
One last word.... what about Rowling not understanding our grieve for Snape??? IT IS THE BEST CHARACTER THAT SHE CREATED.
Posted Oct 23, 2007 at 9:16 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1224
Elza Black says:
I was very disappointed in this answer about Dumbledore. I think that a very deep true love can exist between friends without the sexual overtures entering into the situation. I guess I had Dumbledore on a pedastal and between Book 7 and now this revalation he has definitely been shown having feet of clay. Of all the things that could have been shared with the world this is the very last bit of information I would have chosen.
Posted Oct 23, 2007 at 1:34 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2223
Pheonixflames says:
I was surprised to see this when it was on Yahoo news, but I have to admit it isn't a shocker. When reading I never suspected anything like it, but now that I think about it, it fits well, and each to their own you know. So this doesn't change my views of the series, they're still great books, and Dumbledore still remains one of my favourite characters.
Posted Oct 23, 2007 at 1:53 PM EST
Head Boy
Points: 426
Celticbryan says:
Y'know, it's funny. I found the fact that Neville and Hannah marry to be more interesting. Dumbledore is Dumbledore no matter what. His contributions to Harry's becoming a hero aren't changed either way. I simply think his being gay is no beig deal.
Posted Oct 23, 2007 at 10:04 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2621
hbluvhp says:
I can't believe that the fact that Dumbledore is gay is so newsworthy that I just saw it running along the bottom of a cable news show! Keep the HP news in the forefront where it belongs!
Yeah for Dumbledore!
Posted Oct 23, 2007 at 11:11 PM EST
The Keeper of Time
Points: 2604
krisie says:
That was a big shock. I didn't expect that, and his first love was Grindelwald, Wow I can't believe it. It will just take me some time to get used to.
Posted Oct 24, 2007 at 8:47 AM EST
226-229
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