I don't mind being politically incorrect, but I certainly don't want to be rude. I cannot, however, contain my reaction to the fact that DUMBLEDORE IS GAY! We had the discussion at walking group this morning and I've been meaning to post it for awhile but kept forgetting.
This is an excerpt from Newsweek.
"In front of a full house of hardcore Potter fans at Carnegie Hall in New York, Rowling, sitting on the stage on a red velvet and carved wood throne, read from her seventh and final book, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," then took questions. One fan asked whether Albus Dumbledore, the head of the famed Hogwarts School of Wizardry and Witchcraft, had ever loved anyone. Rowling smiled. "Dumbledore is gay, actually," replied Rowling as the audience erupted in surprise. She added that, in her mind, Dumbledore had an unrequited love affair with Gellert Grindelwald, Voldemort's predecessor who appears in the seventh book. After several minutes of prolonged shouting and clapping from astonished fans, Rowling added. "I would have told you earlier if I knew it would make you so happy."
I first heard it from kent, but didn't believe it until I was doing some research on it this past week. My take is that it is kind of a slap in the face to all of the fans that have loved Harry Potter for it being family friendly, etc. I am not angry by any means, just a little disappointed. Luckily I didn't have the info before I read the books. Reading them again may be a little different with that idea stemming in my head. I don't at all like the fact that Rowling made reference to an "unrequited love affair" with Grindewald. I didn't want to hear about a heterosexual unrequited love affair of Dumbledore's, let alone one with Gellert.
I suppose they are her characters and she may do with them whatever she wants.
20 comments:
That is very lame! Is she trying to show her "tolerance" or to ruin the story?
I have several comments, but you knew this already, Leisy, since we've discussed it this morning.
1) It is a slap in the face to those who've considered it family-friendly fare. If it can be announced and dropped, fine, but you know it won't be. Dumbledore is going to become the new poster boy for homosexuality.
2) With the enormous success of the Harry franchise, these characters no longer belong just to Rowling. They belong to all of us who have loved the books and set Dumbledore up as a noble man and a good leader. It is wrong for her to say this now.
3) Aren't we glad she announced it was "unrequited," so it puts the kibosh on any "flashback love scenes" by Hollywood in the future Harry Potter films?
That's probably enough. Obviously, tolerance was a major message in her books, and I think "gay-bashing" is wrong. But I also think that this is a message that many parents would not have wanted their children to be exposed to, had they know. I'm definitely disappointed.
Can you tell me how his sexuality changes anything about the story or his relationship with the children at the school?
it isn't that his relationship was affected with Harry and his friends. It is that his sexual orientation doesn't need to be discussed with children. I am just glad Rowling decided not to bring it up in the books.
I agree with the taylor laney comment. I wish it hadn't been brought up. If it wasn't part of the story and isn't important, why now? Is it going to be something I will need to explain to my children in the future when they want to read harry Potter? If the issue persists and becomes common acceptable knowledge about Dumbledore, I will have the discussion with my children before they read the books. It just may not be the time or way that I want to have that discussion.
Unless Zeb is reading Newsweek I wouldn't be too concerned about it. It's doubtful that he's going to happen upon an article about dumbledore's sexuality. Just keep him away until you decide to have "the talk" with him.
For the record, the anonymous post was neither from me nor from anyone that I know. And that's the truth.
About the info being in only things like Newsweek... Are you kidding me!? Harry Potter is pop culture. The books are EVERYWHERE. The news about Dumbledore is huge. With the spreading acceptance of homosexuality I do think that Dumbledore will become somewhat of a "poster child" as Emilee earlier stated. Kids will talk about it at school. I refuse to shelter my children and "keep them away". How in heaven's name do you recommend that I keep my kids away from Harry Potter anyway? and why don't you just attach your name to your comments? come on, suck it up.
and erik.. I believe you, I think.
I'm not suggesting you keep them away at all, what I am suggesting is that by reading the book exclusively, a kid is certainly not going to get the fact that Dumbledore is gay. Yes, I'm sure they will get the information at some point somehow at which point you can discuss it with them if you choose or they ask. What I don't understand is why it even needs to be an issue. If he becomes a poster child, great...if he doesn't, also great. It's not like your kid(s) is/are going to question their sexuality because they find out Dumbledore is gay. Name attached.
Either way, not trying to be confrontational, just stating my thoughts.
ryan,
thanks for attaching your name. I agree with your point. I simply am disappointed with the whole shebang. It is an issue for me only because it is another sign that wrong is becoming right in so many things. I am not homophobic but I am also not supportive of homosexuality. So, quick question for you...are you a long time anonymous commenter on this blog? we've had a few anonymous comments that we are still trying to connect to faces, thats all. And, sorry, but who are you?
I had a couple different reactions when I first heard this news. First I thought "Oh Brother", I was almost offended that his sexuality was even brought up. I have to tell myself that these characters are all fiction. They do not exist. In life, we will encounter people who are gay, straight, etc. I may have to explain to my kids why my cousin has two moms before I have to explain anything about dumbledore. I don't think this announcement will greatly affect how parents handle the topic. Ultimatly, I hope I can teach my children to look for the good qualities people possess. Dumbledore was kind, loving, and good. That's what I will remember about him.
Funny, I also talked about this during my walking group this week.
Wally
I saw some references to this topic on Tyler and Michelle's blog, and had to follow the trail somewhere to get one thing off my chest that bothers me. I believe the only reason that J.K brought it up at all was for publicity and bring awareness to homosexuality. She didn't put it in her books for one reason, that's fear!!! She waits until everyone who is going to read the book has bought it, then decides months after the last book comes out to announce that dumbledore is gay. If she truly was interested in making some sort of political impact, she didn't need to wait until after the books came out. It could have been addressed in one of the later books. It's not like she was really worried about the last 3 books being "family friendly". They are pretty dark.
I would have been equally disappointed if she had said Hagrid was a womanizer and had a handful of 1/4 giant kids scattered across Great Britain. Or if she had responded that Dumbledore and Trelawney were secretly shacking it up and Seamus Finnigan was their hidden love child. Homosexuality is one of many issues that isn't right and certainly had no place being dragged in to the realm of children's literature.
loved the post john. my thoughts exactly. no place for sexuality in children's books.
Homosexuality was NEVER in her books.
Hmmm... I really don't know why everyone is so surprised. I mean, the man had awesome sense of style.
Okay, I'm kidding. I think the whole thing is really unnecessary, but what can you do?
I'm so sorry you are so disappointed about this. No one can blame J.K. Rowling for not being culturally diverse! Ha!
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