More info revealed from Jo's reading in NYC
More info revealed from Jo's reading in NYC 2,000 lucky fans had the opportunity to interact with JK Rowling this evening at Carnegie Hall. The reading was rather eventful, as Jo revealed a lot of new information previously unknown about the series.

The most notable news of the night was the revelation of Dumbledore's sexuality. Jo says Dumbledore was gay and in love with Gellert Grindelwald. JK, in response to the audience's reaction, said "If I had known this would have made you so happy, I would have told you years ago."

Not quite as head-turning, but equally significant, Jo announced Neville Longbottom's marriage with Hannah Abbott. Hannah became the new landlady of the Leaky Cauldron.

Other heart-warming (ha!) news was revealed about Petunia Dursley. The night Harry left Privet Drive, Petunia wanted to tell Harry, "I know what you're up against and I hope it turns out okay."

Stay tuned, more to come soon!

EDIT: Click HERE to see MuggleNet's Emerson Spartz discuss the news on At Large with Geraldo Rivera... and subsequently get parodied on Jimmy Kimmel.
Posted by Ben on Oct 19th | 2685 Comments
Visitor Comments
Posted by albusmademecry Oct 20th 2007

you know, this has me thinking. Eventually, this whole Albus gay thing will die down, and the books will be less tlked about. EVENTUALLY. and then maybe people will forget. The books have no reference to Albus being gay, and there is nothing to suggest it in the books, so at some point, maybe my children will read the books and will have no idea what Rowlinghad planned.


Posted by deatheater_13 Oct 20th 2007

i would rather have continued in my thoughts of imagining Dumbledore as a sage. First the revelation in the seventh book and now this. OMG, what next??


Posted by bEtHyBoP13 Oct 20th 2007

I Suppose This Will Give The MuggleCasters PLENTY To Talk About!


Posted by albusmademecry Oct 20th 2007

modern marauder: yeah I know. A friend of mine, too. She's been struggling with her sexuality fora long time. But is it possible to be more 'out there' than Dumbledore?


Posted by viaaurelia1310 Oct 20th 2007

I always thought Big Gay Al was a bit too well dressed for a straight guy...


Posted by bEtHyBoP13 Oct 20th 2007

The Caption Contest-ers Will Have A Lot To Talk About Too Actually, Now That I Think About It! I Wonder If Grindelwald Felt The Same...:S


Posted by modern_marauder Oct 20th 2007

Ohh it's possible, hehe, this guy is more the stereotype of gay but thats what i love about him! I can only imagine what Jo will say next- "Oh and fans I am actually a witch myself"... Okay please no one take that seriously i was being sarcastic, just like one of the mugglecasters said - Aussies are the most sarcastic people in the world.


Posted by nieninque Oct 20th 2007

I am having a hard time imagining Dumbledore in love at all,be it with a man or a woman.However,him being in love with Grindelwald does make sense,explains why he was so blind to Grindelwald's true nature. But other than that,it doesn't change anything.The books doesn't exactly focus on Dumbledore's love life,and the ways they focus on his character have nothing to do with romantic love/sexuality.


Posted by Ceywood Oct 20th 2007

Albusmademecry - if you think that the character of Dumbledore is someone you would like your children to read about in the future, why does it matter if he is homosexual? Does this stop him from being all of the things readers love about him? - wise, a sage, intelligent, sharp, funny, loving, accepting. The list of his virtues goes on and on and it illudes me that these characteristics are somehow changed or dimished because we find out he has one orientation or another.


Posted by viaaurelia1310 Oct 20th 2007

modern_marauder: maybe she already told us she was a witch... and then collectively wiped our memories? how would you know? anyway, I love Dumbles, being gay suits him! Although I'm adamant to call him Big Gay Al now. Too good to pass by!


Posted by modern_marauder Oct 20th 2007

Big Gay Al , i like that lol. Yeah my friend once said something about someone could write a book or sing a song about something mythical but its actually but nobody would seriously consider it. Just like in the begining of OOTP i think it said something about asking the "muggle" Prime Minister whether he would tell people Wizards and such were real, and of course he wouldnt because THAT would be silly! I wish it was true though, i wanna be a witch! Okay you can take me to the psych ward now...


Posted by nieninque Oct 20th 2007

I really love this.Stopped people from making silly,unbased accusations about Dumbledore.He's too great for words to describe 8-)


Posted by viaaurelia1310 Oct 20th 2007

modern_marauder: have fun in the psych ward and say hi to Lockheart for me ;)


Posted by TallestPurple Oct 20th 2007

Perhaps it's possible JKR mentioned this as a way of introducing homosexuality to the younger followers of HP, and showing them that it's nothing to be afraid of or hated, so that they're all prepared when one of the cast comes out. Ahem. I mean, it's not as though they'd be allowed to say it whilst they were still filming the movies, is it? For instance, it had to be emphasised that Dan Radcliffe didn't smoke when he was performing in Equus, when, as a seventeen year old Britain, he was well within his rights to do so. It's all about being a good role model, and it's sad that in this day an age a person can't really be gay and still be seen as someone that we can all look up to. Of course, this is all just speculation, and perhaps Dumbledore was organically gay. Personally I always thought he was, but that was probably because in my head he's always looked a lot like Sir Ian McKellen.


Posted by Hermione68 Oct 20th 2007

Wow, I just logged onto mugglenet to see if there was any news and boy was there ever. The fact that Dumbledore was seen as gay in JK's eyes is just one part of who he was, just like whatever sexual orientation you are is just one part of who you are. The things that make Dumbledore great are the same as they have ever been. This changes nothing but your own perspective. I personally feel that when someone is so dedicated to loving someone that they spend their lives never loving another in that way again (DD and Snape for that matter), that it speaks volumes for who they are as a person, gay or straight.


Posted by ZaeMalfoy Oct 20th 2007

I would just like to say, I applaud Jo, well done. For once an author isn't treating children like morons. Dumbledore being gay is a great lesson to children, being gay doesn't make you different. To all you homophobes, you're morons!!! You should be treated like children. He's gay, not diseased! It shouldn't change your view of someone just because they're a little different and it's the 21st century, this stuff is like the norm! Besides, it's fiction! And Dumbledore, you have to admit, did appear as though he were 'batting for the same team' and she never brings it up, never gives you detail, so why should it bother anyone? I'm just more impressed. I always suspeted there was at least one gay charactor, although I never actually suspected Dumbledore, that was a pleasant surprise. ^^


Posted by modern_marauder Oct 20th 2007

viaaurelia1310: Does that mean i get to go St Mungos? Did anyone read that the crowd just went dead silent after she mention 'then' erupted into an applause. Just imagine that " Dumbledore is gay...." silence.. then a huge applause. So wish i was there, Jo come to Aus, pretty please.


Posted by viaaurelia1310 Oct 20th 2007

Modern_marauder: really, applaus? That's so cool, and so typical for HP fans! We love Jo no matter what she does to a character (even though I'm still not over Fred...), and I totally love her for Dumbles 'coming out'! Oh yeah, ZaeMalfoy, I totally agree with you, homophobes are morons! They think sexuality is an inherent determinant of behavior, ie: someone is gay, therefore wants to jump any male he sees! I am perfectly sure Dumbles did NOT have any feelings for Snape or Harry or was in any way 'inappropriate' with students. A straight man does not have lust feelings for any woman he sees, nor does a gay man have lust feelings for any man he sees. And I specifically hate homophobes who think gays jump children. There's a difference between homosexuality and pedophilia, kids!


Posted by Matthias Oct 20th 2007

you're not serious, JKR!!!!! dumbledore gay??? oh maaaaaaaaaaaaaaan i don't believe it, why did you do that?


Posted by Slither Oct 20th 2007

Oh gods Yes. I luff u Jo!!! *fangirls* *waves Grindledore flag*


Posted by Quiscalus Oct 20th 2007

Viaaurelia, clumping all people who disapprove of homosexuality into one group is just as senseless and ignorant as people who clump all gays together. I've read just about every comment on this news post, and I say intolerance, hypocrisy, and insensitivity on both sides. *Still stays neutral*


Posted by potters_pimp Oct 20th 2007

I can just see the chocolate from card now: "Albus Dumbledore, currently Headmaster of Hogwarts. Considered the greatest wizard of modern times, Dumbledore is particularly famous for his defeat of the dark wizard Grindelwald in 1945, for the discovery of the twelve ues of dragon's blood and for his work partner, Nicolas Flamel. Professor Dumbledore enjoys chamber music and tenpin bowling. He is also currently head of the Wizarding Gay Activist Movement." Maybe he was in a triple relationship, I mean, Nicolas Flamel was his partner!!!


Posted by Quiscalus Oct 20th 2007

**I meant to say 'I SAW intolerance, hypocrisy, and insensitivity on both sides'.


Posted by viaaurelia1310 Oct 20th 2007

Quiscalus: Let my message then be this: there is still much ignorance and prejudice, and that is what has to change. I'm not saying everybody should be pro-gay, and if you're not, you're unworthy. I AM calling for tolerance and understanding. Jo has certainly stirred up quite a debate here :| Btw, it´s also on the Dutch news! Fantastic!!


Posted by lidietta Oct 20th 2007

LMAO LMAO LMAO!!!!!! old dumbledore is GAY!!!! I wonder why I never thought of it.... it was pretty logical, lol!!! =)


Posted by sillyme Oct 20th 2007

i really didnt think she woud make anyone gay but i guess i was wrong lol. this is very surprising! i always thought he was married but his spouse died a while ago.i think the reason people were so happy is because it was in NYC! lol. is anyone else wierded out a little now by the harry and dumbledore scenes in hbp? hehehe. also, i wonder if gridelwald was gay too and liked him back.


Posted by Duffanator Oct 20th 2007

LindsayS, I so agree! Her site is going to be popped up with all this stuff about Dumbledore!


Posted by nieninque Oct 20th 2007

viaaurelia1310,I agree exactly.The only complaint I have about this news is morons who go "Oooh,Dumbledore must have had more than fatherly feelings for Harry." or "Snape was his love-slave!".Come on people.Nothing you have seen in the book changed.Dumbledore's love life was never mentioned,was it?Snape was not his love slave,nor did Dumbledore felt anything more than what we see in the books towards Harry,which is both a fatherly affection and a burden of guilt from having no choice but to put Harry through it all.


Posted by chevichevchevchev Oct 20th 2007

omg... thats so awsome!! i luv it when jk tells us stuff that wasnt in the books like wat happens to all the characters and all that... neville and hannah!! aw that is so cool! and dumbledore being gay... wow... i'm still in shock with all this new info :D


Posted by Quiscalus Oct 20th 2007

Viaaurelia, I agree that there is much ignorance and prejudice and it should be changed, but the way your previous comment was written made it sound as though all people who are anti-gay are ignorant and stupid. There are many anti-gay people who have don't their research. *Still keeps neutral status*


Posted by kokoro_ravenclaw Oct 20th 2007

My main question is did any men (or women I suppose) ever love Albus more than just friends? Was Grindelwald gay? Was Doge gay? What about Nicholas Flamel even? My main question is about Grindelwald's sexuality AND I want to know if anyone in the Wizarding (or Muggle I suppose) world even knew about Dumbledore's sexuality... Was Dumbledore open with Grindelwald about loving him?


Posted by lidietta Oct 20th 2007

I agree, nieninque!!! I mean, the man was 160!!! ^_^


Posted by Ruby_321 Oct 20th 2007

omg.... im sitting here lmao... Dumbedore gay............ haha! Lidetta, u still here?


Posted by Belsito Oct 20th 2007

Good God! This just about ruined the whole series for me! Now I keep thinking how Harry was in danger locked up with Dumbledore in his office. JK, this was a back-stab I had never envisaged.


Posted by citylove3583 Oct 20th 2007

yay for neville! kind of random. omg dumbledore!!! thats really shocking.


Posted by Minerva Oct 20th 2007

If anybody else in the magical world (still living presumably) ever knew about Dumbledore, do you think they would tell Harry? And if Harry knew, do you think it would affect his relationship with Albus Severus or how he remembers Dumledore? I would like to think that the knowledge would not affect either aspects because Harry is just the person to not let it affect his life, but....


Posted by mrshermionesnape Oct 20th 2007

OMG! I was JUST watching GMA and they said that. I was like, omg! I rushed onto here, thinking I HAVE to see if this is true. Sadly, it is...


Posted by Mr_Bandman Oct 20th 2007

To me it does not add to or detract from the character in any way....it does however make me ask the question "Why?".......She made some vague point about it giving the Religious Right another reason to hate the books (some fundamentalist Christian groups have denounced the series for "promoting witchcraft")......it would appear that She derives a bit of pleasure out of prodding those who would presume to criticize....I don't know......seems a little sophomoric to me.... Really, I hadn't spent any time thinking about the sexuality of any of the adult characters----I didn't see it as in any way relevant to the story. Now that I think about it, the only Hogwarts teachers who we know anything about in that area are Snape and Hagrid. This revelation, to me, will eventually lead to a soiling of the whole thing. Not AT ALL because of any anti-gay sentiment, but rather that it causes speculation that is not appropriate for the genre. What are the sexual predilections of McGonnigal, Flitwick, Sprout, Slughorn, Pomphrey, Hooch, Filch, Lockhart, not to mention those outside Hogwarts---Fudge, Shaklebolt, Black, even Voldemort. It seems everyone who teaches at Hogwarts in a single adult----are they all simply unlucky in love, or is Hogwarts a haven for homosexuals? I am a teacher, and though I don't spend a single second wondering about the respective orientations of my colleagues, I do know that many of them are married or involved with someone, and a majority have lives outside the school. That does not seem to be the case with the Hogwarts faculty and staff. So now its out there, and I think it causes more harm than good. It opens a door that not only was not open but many, I think, didn't even realize was there----it will inevitably become an open question about every character in the books. I just don't see that as necessary at all. What's next---do we question and whisper about the sexuality of Bilbo Baggins and Gandalf, of Aslan, Willy Wonka, and the...


Posted by cloakstonewand Oct 20th 2007

thats so sweet ALL the news. also to Tony-the-Terrible um how could u say that theres nuthing wrong with dumbledore being gay


Posted by Dragon_queen4ever Oct 20th 2007

O...m...g...I never in a million billion years would have guessed. Ah well, to each his own dumby! And congrats NevilleXHannah!


Posted by viaaurelia1310 Oct 20th 2007

Belsito: That is just about the most ignorant comment I have heard today (congratulations, because there were many!). Why on earth would Harry be in danger by being in the same office as a gay teacher 140 years his senior? 1. Gay is not the same as pedophile. 2. Gays do not automatically jump men, just because they swing that way. DANGER? You're a horrible, ignorant excuse for a human being.


Posted by harry8voldemort Oct 20th 2007

EW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!


Posted by Talons Oct 20th 2007

I wonder what Laura Mallory has to say about this.....


Posted by Talons Oct 20th 2007

I wonder what Laura Mallory has to say about this.....


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Posted by harry8voldemort Oct 20th 2007

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Posted by harry8voldemort Oct 20th 2007

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Posted by harry8voldemort Oct 20th 2007

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