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OCTOBER 23, 2007 at 1:33 PM
Posted by GERI
Source: Toronto Star
While attending the International Festival of Authors in Toronto today, Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling continued to field questions on the recently revealed information that Dumbledore was gay.
In answering
the press about the timing of the revelation, Ms. Rowling stated, "I was asked a very direct question at Carnegie Hall."
Jo went on to say:
The plot is what it is. (Dumbledore) did have, as I say, this rather tragic infatuation, but that was a key part of the ending of the story so there it is. Why would I put the key part of my ending of my story in Book 1?
After the press conference, Jo read from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and answered questions from fans on Dobby's death and Quidditch.
UPDATE: Thanks to vaml for letting us know that you can now view a video of JK at the press conference online.
UPDATE II: You can also read an account of the event from HPANA member Jekiramika.
Reader Comments (85)
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Facotrot Founder
Points: 4772
Aurora_7 says:
The press are having a field day with this information. Everyone let it go, it doesn't change anything.
Posted Oct 23, 2007 at 1:35 PM EST
Student
Points: 283
Ingrid the great says:
I think it's absolutely brilliant! It fits perfectly, when I heard I just thought, 'Of course!'
Posted Oct 23, 2007 at 1:37 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1647
Hermione's younger sister says:
I am so sad that he was so deceptive. This book probably puts Hermione at the top of the list for the most reliable.
Posted Oct 23, 2007 at 2:11 PM EST
Magical Mama
Points: 2621
Kravso says:
I don't understand what's so 'deceptive' about it. There are plenty of characters in the books that have unannounced sexuality (mostly the teachers in fact). I think the point was it just doesn't matter to the students or Harry (nor should it). What did you want DD to do, walk up to Harry in book One and say, "Hello Harry, I'm Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts and by the way I'm gay"? I think the key for his character development is that he had an infactuation that ended tragically, and not that it was with another man that led him to not pursue further romances.
Posted Oct 23, 2007 at 2:34 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1952
tsvety says:
I don't see the big problem here! What the hell does that change anything? Geez people, let it go!
I absolutely agree with Jo on that one :)
Lina
Posted Oct 23, 2007 at 2:53 PM EST
Keeper of Harry's Fate
Points: 9051
TheOneWhoMustBeNamed says:
Interesting how this is getting so much attention. You would think that it is not that big a deal. The story is the story.
Posted Oct 23, 2007 at 2:59 PM EST
Wizard
Points: 688
Gryffindor's prefect says:
I dont think knowing that he is gay would have revealed anything from the plot of the last book.
Posted Oct 23, 2007 at 3:04 PM EST
Mrs. Draco Malfoy
Points: 27909
Arika Granger Malfoy says:
YAY!
I am so annoyed that people are making such a big deal about the Dumbledore thing though.
Who cares....haha...
Oh well
:)
Posted Oct 23, 2007 at 3:13 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2363
Nataly says:
The next 'revealed information' would be that Dumbledore was gay and that he was in love with Harry! hahahhaa
Posted Oct 23, 2007 at 3:21 PM EST
Witch
Points: 861
star chaser says:
Everyone keeps going on about Dumbledore being gay. I was surprised by it at first, but now thinking about it, I'm wondering how I didn't realise it ages ago.
Posted Oct 23, 2007 at 4:01 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2108
phoenix_feathers says:
She has some audacity, that one! It's quite an admirable trait, actually. About Dumbledore being gay, it just goes to show that they are among the greatest of us, and it doesn't make any real difference, now, does it?
Posted Oct 23, 2007 at 4:02 PM EST
Witch
Points: 987
crazywitch says:
Yes I wish that the press and everyone would just let this go now, it doesn't change a thing.
Posted Oct 23, 2007 at 4:17 PM EST
Student
Points: 206
merfsko says:
"Everyone let it go, it doesn't change anything. "
I completely agree. It wasn't relevant to the plot, so people (mainly the press) need to stop freaking out.
I'd wish they would all just give us some real news every once in a while.
Posted Oct 23, 2007 at 4:17 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2081
kermittounette says:
There's a lot of french people who'll read the last book this week end because it is the french release, but i'm sad that this is finished, even if we are months later... i'l re read it in french maybe!
Posted Oct 23, 2007 at 5:02 PM EST
Witch
Points: 718
Hedwig,express says:
Yeah, it would have been stupid to reveal he was gay in the first book. It was a key plot point. I agree with Jo, and why is everyone freaking out. Are despret fans looking for anything to keep them latched onto HP?
Posted Oct 23, 2007 at 5:10 PM EST
Seer
Points: 15207
Brittany Radcliffe says:
of course she did! she wrote the book!
but I dont see why this is bad that Dumbledoore was gay, like it doesnt bother me at all.
Posted Oct 23, 2007 at 5:13 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2337
SlytherinStarGazer says:
I don't see why anyone is making a bi deal about all of this, Well the press mainly. It doesn't change anything in the series. It is just a fact about how she saw a character, and she does have a right to do that after all, They are her characters....I just wish everyone would move on, It isn't a big deal and not worth putting time and effort into...
Posted Oct 23, 2007 at 5:14 PM EST
Wizard
Points: 559
Nikodemus Gilbert says:
I think it isn't important that Dumbledore is gay. It isn't important for the students of Hogwarts, it isn't important for the story. Everyone let it go!
Posted Oct 23, 2007 at 5:24 PM EST
Vertigo Swinger
Points: 4011
Topher2707 says:
The press don't necessarily see it in the light of "Oh my god, Dumbledore was gay, this is just so shocking, I can't believe she would do that," they see it more in the light of "Oh my god, just when we thought the Potter Press Machine was done with, it's been rejuvenated!!!"
They're excited because now Jo has given them something new to report and talk about. Potter use to be a pretty big thing with news, look at all the news there was for Book 7. It was a major press point for about 2 months before July 21. Then, a few days after, they kept going with all the interviews with Jo, but then, it just kind of died. I mean, no more books, no more secrets, the only thing left really was the movies, and all you can really talk about is how much money they make, and nobody really cares anymore. We all know that each movie will make a ton of money. So, this was something the press could have a field day, and it'll be one of the last field days they can have with "Potter" and they know it, so they are going to keep talking about it.
Posted Oct 23, 2007 at 5:46 PM EST
Antipodean Snow Goddess
Points: 3071
Tikihaha says:
I can understand all the hoop-la this bombshell has produced, but does it really make that much of a difference?! Grindleward was obviously Dumbledore's great love, and when he betrayed Dumbledore and possibly murdered Ariana, Dumbledore didn't want to face him again.
It makes sense, and it would be a strange book indeed (after the amount of characters) absolutely none of them were gay. Not really representational of society, hey?
I've always had my suspicions about Percy too ...!!
Posted Oct 23, 2007 at 6:12 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2852
H/HrShipper4Ever says:
I still can't get over the fact that he was gay. I was not expecting it at all. I want to see the video of when she said it.
Posted Oct 23, 2007 at 6:29 PM EST
The Charmer
Points: 4322
Amarantine says:
I still think Dumbledore being gay is fantastic and, as Tikihaha said, with so many characters introduced it'd be a bit crazy if one of them wasn't gay, indeed it wouldn't be a very fair representation of society! And haha I could see Percy being gay too, but, he doesn't have quite as snazzy a dress sense as Dumbledore...
I mean, on a serious note, it has caused quite a lot of media attention, but I don't think that is in any way bad, as long as the press about it isn't negative. I'm actually glad that Jo has been a little controversial with this to be honest, it's like a bit of a kick up the backside for people who are very anti-gay, make it clear that a character in such a much-loved series was in fact gay, a nice wake up call, I say well done Jo!
Posted Oct 23, 2007 at 6:34 PM EST
Squib
Points: 120
tatiweasley says:
sorry Jo but he's still straight in my mind....he just is...
Posted Oct 23, 2007 at 6:45 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1047
the cute slytherin says:
Ok so jo says that it is a key part of the ending the dumbledore is gay but I honestly could of not known that and been perfectly happy with it. I don't see the ending any different knowing that he is gay. But after I did hear i did think it was kind of humorous that hermoine kept saying "Dumbledore loved Harry."
Posted Oct 23, 2007 at 6:55 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1608
~Harry's true love~ says:
It's amazing how things are getting so stirred up. It's amazing that because of Harry Potter, people now feel secure enough to come out. That's great!
Posted Oct 23, 2007 at 7:05 PM EST
Custodian of Miracles
Points: 3264
MadamDumbledore says:
Asked about the timing of her revelation, Rowling said: "I was asked a very direct question at Carnegie Hall."
And she wasn't given a list of questions to be answered prior to the event? Interesting. I still have to question the timing.
"Oh my god, just when we thought the Potter Press Machine was done with, it's been rejuvenated!!!" Yeah, interesting.
Posted Oct 23, 2007 at 7:28 PM EST
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