Well, I for one am very disappointed at this revelation about Dumbledore. Before I finish my comment I am going to address the fact that I am not homophobic (although I don't agree with it) I have many friends who are gay. With that said I am disappointed for many reasons 1) Dumbledore was a hero and to do this to his character AFTER the story has ended is just damaging to the memory of his role in the books. 2) She wouldn't answer the question the kid asked about Aberforth and the goats because the child was to young, yet she would tell another child in the same audience that Dumbledore is gay (an issue that should never be brought up to a young child, until they are old enough to understand), the fact that she would say this to a young impressionable audience is very disturbing. As a parent in that audience I would have been very, very upset that she said this in the presence of young children. I love the whole Harry Potter series and now because of this I view the whole thing differently. I hope in some future press she will recount this statement as a joke. If not she must be trying to damage the characters reputations so people will stop following Harry Potter and she won't have to answer any more questions, and therefore she won't want to write any more about Harry. This was a statement that was, at the very least, uncalled for and should have never been stated. I really hope this isn't true and that she will tell audiences everywhere that she was only joking, if she doesn't I will be a very disappointed fan of Harry Potter. To think she would write this as a children's book and then do this kind of damage. That is all I will say for now.

what the hell aberforth. I was already getting angry nough about the people out there hating on the gays (i dont like gys, but i dont like it more when you insult them), but what's with insulting muslims? i'm a muslim, and that really defended me. if you're going to be ignorant and stupid like that, please leave

superfish31: I would like to dedicate my previous comment to you as well!

I am someone that is very tolerant (I know many homosexual people and have great friendships with all of them), but I personally read the words as a joke... I didn't actually realize she was serious until I noticed all of the comments. That statement can easily be read in a joking manner, and it is in fact how I read it at first... If Dumbledore is in fact gay, that's fine with me, but I just think we should refrain from writing a million and one fanfictions about something that might be a joke. Grindelwald was a bad wizard, and I imagine a similar joke being made about Harry if we didn't already know about Ginny - "No, Harry's gay - he was secretly in love with Voldemort." See how it can be taken as a joke?

GAy people are awesome. Now I want Al Cuaron to direct DH....he'll include Naked!Harry and Gay!Dumbledore

Wow...now i look at Dumbledore as a completly different person. I know that's not very nice of me to say but...wow...shocker.

Aberforth, just leave! your ignorant comments are not wanted here. please educate yourself a bit more before you open your mouth again. thanks!

AAHHHHHH!!! The hate on this board is KILLING MEEEEE!!!!!! People, if you want to express your opinions, which you have every right to do, PLEASE DO IT RESPECTFULLY!! Were is the love yo?

offended***..not defended, definately not defended. wrong place for a typo.

You guys do realize that Dumbledore as a character is no different from the character he was yesterday, right? I don't understand everyone going on about how "this ruins his character for me" and all of that. He's the same great wizard he always was. To change your opinion of him SOLELY because of his sexual preference is to be no different than the people who dismiss Hermione's phenomenal talent as a witch solely because she's a "mudblood." Tolerance, people. It's okay, really. The world is not going to end because of this.

At first, I was worried that JKR was being sensationalistic, but I'm not anymore. It's not like she just went up and said "Dumbledore's Gay". Someone asked her about Dumbledores love life, and she could so easily have made something up or avoided the question, but she didn't, she answered truthfully, even at the risk of alienating fans. I respect her for that. And stop with the "dumbledore-harry" stuff. Just because he's gay doesn't mean he's a pedophile.

WHAT?!?!?!?!?

i think She should have told us if Dumbledore was an passive or active homosexual. I also don't think theres anything wrong w/him being infatuated w/harry.

WHAT THE F**K! dumbledor's gay! thats a shocker! omg

Aberforth you retarded freak, how dare you insult somebody because of their religion i mean, really. that is the lowest of the low thing to say....totally not called for

Oh My Gosh.... *speechles*

What exactly is a "passive" or "active" homosexual? As one, I've never heard the term.

I just feel this wasn't built up at all. I think it must be a joke, there is nearly no evidence in the book to indicate that this is true. I also think JKR's being a bit of a hypocrite if, days after she has an interview about her Christian faith, she says that one of her characters is gay, as Christianity, generally, opposes homosexuality. I personally am disappointed in JKR, and would have preferred her to not reveal this information, as it has nothing to do with the series. I will have to think long and hard about how I will view these books in the future.

First of all, I want to agree with Flyboy-everything you mention is so valid. I was honored enough to have been selected as a winner in the sweepstakes and it was one of the best experiences of my life. I had always known what an incredible person Jo was, but last night, I realized just how well-grounded and kind-hearted she truly is. I have seen such a change in her over the past ten years. In the beginning, Jo seemed very put-together, but a bit reserved and unsure of herself. And now, she continues to be put-together, but is now more brimming with confidence. She truly cares about her fans and does her very best to promote healthy morals and positive messages. She has shown us the good and bad that can be found in so many, and also the consequences of a society that is driven mad by the purity of blood, and the family line. I feel so proud to be a part of an era where one woman can influence so many on concepts like understanding and pride. And now, she comes to us with another message: one regarding a different kind of tolerance. Dumbledore's sexual preferences should have no impact on the veiw of the books. Like Flyboy, I am so proud of those whose opinions of the chacrater and the series have not changed since Jo's revelations. I completely trust Jo and her judgement, and to those who are disappointed in her for her decision, I have no idea why!

Quiscalus: A very wise gay man once said: We must not sink beneath our anguish, Harry, but battle on ;)

Children are constantly exposed to heterosexuality. Why then should they not receive some measure of exposure to homosexuality? The two things are merely different flavors of the same dessert. And if you're not homophobic, it makes absolutely no sense to say that you're sorely disappointed that Dumbledore is gay and that this somehow damages your regard for him. If you were okay with homosexuality, your response be more along the lines of, "Wow, I didn't I expect that. Interesting." And then you'd put the revelation aside and carry on with your ordinary business. You would not sit there and write a whopping big paragraph on how upset you are with Jo.

JKR IS GOD BECAUSE DUMBLEDORE IS GAY. Dumbledore is gay and I LIKE IT!!!!! :D Who else thinks that Gay!Dumbledore is a great idea besides me?

haha everyones online now just cuz dumby's gay. I saw this last night. I was shocked but I'm ok now.

I have a lot a ton of respect for JKR over this. How are parents going to explain this to their children? I hope she never writes a book again. Perhaps her books really should be off the shelves.

yeah it was really funny when jkr said, AT LEAST I DIDNT KILL HIM!! [when referring to hagrid and his nonexistent love life] and then she went on to jokingly say she was gonna have to write another book, but everyone cheered like crazy xD

Wow I would have never guessed that Albus Dumbledore was gay. Just wait for the new fanfics about this.

Unecessary, what a random 'fact' from the author. She could change this description tomorrow and it wouldn'y affect the story since the evidence is so ambigious. Beleive what you want but the author's comments shouldnt be taken as canon. She is critic of her own work as much as anyone else.

OMG.

Grindeldore is canon! Huzzah! Gay!Dumbledore, Naked!Harry, and MoodSwing!Voldy are my favorite characters!

Stunned. Basically I'm flabbergasted right now. I dunno but I think it kind of ruined something about Dumbledore's character, but still he's one of my favorites if not my favorite character. Also I wouldn't have thought he'd been in love with Grindelwald either. Their character's are opposites but I guess opposite attraction does work somehow. Oh man this changes a lot of things. Wow interesting though and Jo had so many twists and ideas for her characters that it's kind of funny that throughout these years of trying to get to every detail of HP some of us miss things like that. OH Yeah for Neville! God I love him and I'm glad he ended up with a happy life. I know some people were going for him and Luna (while I went for Luna and Harry haha) it doesn't matter as long as he's happy! Best character to come out of HP. Glad to know Petunia cared enough about Harry to want to tell himself like that but it's also interesting that she stuck to her character and didn't say it.

Haha, personally I'd let people think what they want to think, I'm not going to think of Dumbledore gay. Never. Hannah Longbottom has a sort of ring to it, though. Then... about Petunia, omgthat'ssosweet!!!

In response to the person who called Jo a hypocrite for being a Christian yet being evidently okay with homosexuality: Being a Christian no more requires one to be anti-gay than being a Christian requires one to condone slavery (slavery being something which is mentioned far more times in the Bible than homosexuality, and each time spoken of in approving tones).

@wondermus: im gonna say this thinking that there are kids reading, being active or passive depends on the roll u play in bed (guy or girl) i hope i dont need to give further explanations.

I knew this would cause an uproar... It personally doesn't make a difference for me. It actually explains some stuff as to why he was so interested in Gellert. However, I think you guys should know that I read another report of the q&a, where Jo said that in HBP (the movie) they were planning to have a girl whom Dumbledore was interested in (maybe when he goes into the past or something). When Jo read that in the script she sent David Yates a note saying, "No you can't do that, he's gay!" So I guess, now she feels that she might as well tell the fans herself rather than they hear it from someone else or **gasp** see something in the movie... Well, anyways, it makes no difference to me. As for Neville... well... :-) I wouldn't have seen that one. And how exactly does the Leaky Cauldron come into all this? Don't get it.

I'm laughing at all the newly formed Dumbledore and JKR haters right now.

viaaurelia1310: If you mean that one that was for Aberforth.. I really could care less. I absolutley agree with MsSiriusBlack. With all of her comment. Oh my gosh.. I just thought.. are they going to portray this in the movie. >.< nononono. Next thing you know, she's going to say Seamus was gay with Dean or something.

gay!Dumbledore forever!

Daniel_Radcliffe_Is_My_Hu sband: I totally agree with you! This gives Dubmledore's character so much more depth, and also adds to his troubles with defeating Grindelwald! Sam Austin has a great quote: "Homosexuality is God's way of ensuring the truly gifted aren't troubled with children" haha. Kinda suits Dumbles eh? Plus, we get to call him Big Gay Al now ^_^

@viaaurelia: breathtaking quote

Daniel_Radcliffe_Is_My_Hu sband: ME! ME!, MsSiriusBlack: Excuse me, you're comparing beastiality and homosexuality? And you say you're not a homophobe? You would have been upset if your child had learned about gays? You make me sad. I feel really bad for both you, and your gay 'friends'. Someone WAY back said (and I'm positive many since have alluded to it) she was ostracizing her fans with this news. FYI, you're only ostracizing yourselves. I'm really happy JKR put that in, dispite this weird stigma a lot of people have with it. Gay people are people - they're not sick or confused. They're gay.

Oh, the avatars that are going to come from this! hahaha oh my god.

Wooooooooooow I didn't see this coming.... I'm not homophobic, this just isn't how I pictured Dumbledore at all... It doesn't "ruin the character" for me or anything, it's just a bit of a twist.

Thank you, fellow gay!Dumbledore fans! Grindeldore forever!

i am in utter disbelief...but then i guess it makes sense. aww i love dumbledore!!!!!!! =D

superfish31: what do you mean, "are they going to portray this in the movie"...?? it's still the same book 6! What did you think, that by this time tomorrow WB is going to announce that Dumbledore will appear in the movie wearing a thong and glittery high heeled boots, and also Harry would be walking quite awkwardly? Geez, this doesn't change anything! Still the same books!!

OH.MY.GOD. I CANNOT BELIEVE IT. This will seriously go down in history. This is the new "Luke, I am your father." OH MY GOD. OH MY GOD. OH MY GOD.

Viaaurella: LOL. Dumbledore in a thong and glittery high-heeled boots. You just made my day!

o...m...g..., WHAT IS WITH YOU PEOPLE? If you hate it that much ignore it, but for one second, just one second, I would like all of you people to realize that this is as big as a surprise for you, as every slytherin reacts when the meet a muggleborn. Just think, Slughorn was surprised hermione was a muggleborn, and your surprised about Dumbledore. Slugohrn was good about it. but not malfoy, pansy and anyother slytherin, stop harrassing Jks choice for what dumbledore is!

okay aerforth that was just stupid.... ur so effed up wut te hell are u even doing here??? holy crap i havent seen half u pp, in years and now ur all back.....

I find it hard to comprehend Dumbledore as gay because for the longest time, I thought him asexual (as I've mentioned only a million times before). Blah. I talk nonsense.