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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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226-232
Professor
Points: 1060
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: 2197
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: 408
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: 2390
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
Auror
Points: 2239
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
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1616
hufflepuff_babe says:
There were some great questions asked. As for DD, it is so shocking that JKR did not reveal this until now. I think all of the information yet undiscovered by the readers merits the creation of a HP encyclopedia.
Posted Oct 24, 2007 at 4:39 PM EST
Witch
Points: 605
Melian Potter says:
WOW, never expected that!!
It´s a wonderful surprise! I love her for being so open minded!
Dumbledore gay... wow!
*grinns happily*
Posted Oct 24, 2007 at 6:21 PM EST
Witch
Points: 945
Weasleyismyking!/R/Hrfrv says:
I never really gave a thought to Dumbledore's sexual preferences. So whatever he was it's ok with me, I love him anyways.
Posted Oct 24, 2007 at 7:31 PM EST
Wizard
Points: 987
DumbledoresArmy says:
Well I don't exactly know how to accept this information about Dumbledore I mean I'm not condemn him its just to think Dumbledore is gay wow.
Posted Oct 24, 2007 at 7:48 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2839
Anastasia Popovick says:
Well, that is certainly a statement about DD I never expected. While the wizarding world does mirror our world, I just didn't think of that! Very interesting!
Posted Oct 24, 2007 at 8:31 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 44
zara-zora says:
OH MY GOD!! I really dident see that coming!! Well i guess J.K. Rowling had her reasons!!
Posted Oct 24, 2007 at 8:50 PM EST
Student
Points: 222
wimpyrobotfiend says:
that's crazy!
I really don't see Dumbledore as gay... why didnt she include it in the book? why wait until now after the last book is done?
It doesn't make very much sense.
Posted Oct 24, 2007 at 10:39 PM EST
Student
Points: 293
sugarcake says:
WOW i'm really in shock. When I read this my family was around and I was like, "DUMBLEDORE'S GAY!!!! I CAN'T BELIEVE IT!!!!" They just looked at me sort of weird and said "he's fictional" It's weird, considering he's fictional, but I'm as shocked by this as I was when I found out this guy I knew for 5 years and was actually in love with was gay. I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who's so shocked! Maybe only other people who are big HP fans would understand, but I've been reading these books for years, and I don't know, the people start to seem real....so when you find out something like this....I'm not prejudiced against homosexuals or anything but I'm still shocked. And the whole thing about him and Grindelwald, someone on the net came up with that theory awhile ago, but I just looked at it and thought it was just another weird rumor. Now that I think about it, there were some things that could've indicated he was gay, I just never seriously thought about it....just the same with the guy I knew, after he came out, I thought, of course he's gay! How did I not catch that? Anyway I probably getting too carried away with this...but wow.
Posted Oct 24, 2007 at 11:41 PM EST
Witch
Points: 518
HPotters_Girl says:
I knew Dumbledore was gay, when I was reading the 6th and 7th book me and my sister ask my grandmother (Whi also loves the books) if she thought he was gay and she told us that she didnt think he was! but me and my sister thought he was and then when Jo said he was me and my sister said we told you he was gay
Posted Oct 25, 2007 at 12:46 AM EST
Witch
Points: 894
darkside rocker says:
Wow that is somethig I never though.
Posted Oct 25, 2007 at 1:26 PM EST
Wizard
Points: 995
Fire Phoenix says:
I never thought about Dumbledore and love, but I think it's neither tragic nor bad. Now that I hear it, I have to say that I think it's perfectly logic and it fits the person.
Posted Oct 25, 2007 at 1:48 PM EST
Student
Points: 266
marcjosef says:
oh!!! i was awed by this piece of info.. thanks to JK.. i never heard this before.. still all muggle lots have counter in wizarding world.
i even love the character of Snape until the last.. huhuhu
Posted Oct 26, 2007 at 9:53 AM EST
Witch
Points: 983
LuNaWaNaBe says:
I am very glad that Jo revealed that information. But I think that she should have put all of this information in the book.
Posted Oct 26, 2007 at 10:07 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1524
auntyj says:
I never would've picked it up in the book, but as soon as I read it (and digested it!) his infatuation with Grindelwald was as plain as day. It's right there to be seen, if you think of it that way - if you don't, you wouldn't see it. I guess none of us really (well, not me, anyway) ever gave a thought to DD's sexuality.
I hope Grindelwald wasn't his only love - in 150 years, I hope he found true love with someone else, even if it was apparently over by the time our story starts.
Posted Oct 27, 2007 at 3:13 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1913
brenpotterfans says:
Wow all those questions were great and the answers even better. Poor Hagrid, what ever happened to Madame Maxime?
Posted Oct 27, 2007 at 10:23 PM EST
Lil' Auror Dude
Points: 4705
Renegade Alpha says:
Well I guess it really should have been Ian Mckellan to have played Dumbledore...
Posted Oct 28, 2007 at 9:22 PM EST
Student
Points: 241
~*Nichi*~ says:
I know it's been like ten days since this news was posted, but I HAD to comment on this.
Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not a homophobe, but I can't imagine Dumbledore being gay. I even have a fanfic where he's being enthusiastically greeted by his... well, never mind. Anyway, my point is, call me stubborn if you like, but Dumbledore will never be gay to me. Even if J.K. says so.
Nichi
Posted Oct 29, 2007 at 5:50 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 13
Wither_Wing's_Rider says:
Wow...well, that's...interesting...
Posted Oct 29, 2007 at 2:17 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2494
Mystique says:
Ahh, but this explains a lot. I always had the inkling that Dumbledore was gay. He was extremely sesitive and in touch with his emotions... which most straight guys are not! :)
Posted Nov 1, 2007 at 1:01 PM EST
Squib
Points: 128
MRS DAN RADCLIFFE says:
oh! Dumbledore's a gay. Wow!!JKR has finally revealed why dumbledore didn't have a wife or a girlfriend . Let's hope JKR tells us what happens to the other characters.
Posted Nov 3, 2007 at 6:34 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 27
buggle says:
Who would have thought it? I certainly didn't!
Posted Nov 4, 2007 at 3:04 PM EST
226-232
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