Araminta, I assume your post was directed at me. I do not have to be homophobic (phobic means scared, and I am not) to disagree with being gay, which I stated in my first post that I didn't agree with it. However, I do not think children should be exposed to homosexuality, because I think it is wrong, but I can also say that it is up to each individual of their sexual preference, and I don't try to tell others how to be. But, this comment section is not here to argue over whether being gay is right or wrong, it is to discuss that this revelation was made about Dumbledore. I am very disappointed in JK for stating this publicly, especially to children. I think that this descrates Dumbledore's character. No need to bash me for this because I have my opinion as well as you do.

I mean, after all the trouble, Jkr took, to publish books, and the main villain, being intolerant of specific thing, and how you need to accept everyone for what they are, muggle or not, you people seem to throw it away as soon as you see just a slightly different parralell. geezus.

WTH?! Dumbledore is now ruined...I know now why my mom doesn't want me to read hp...idk if I still will...OMGSH Jo!!!! :'(

(ALL OF MY WRITING IS IN CAPS)--------------REAL HARRY POTTER FANS WOULD NEVER BE AS MEAN AS SOME OF YOU ARE BEING. "Unecessary, what a random 'fact' from the author"--------"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."

That is really stupid that she made Dumbledore gay. That has ruined the series for me.

So MsSiriusBlack, you're saying that homosexuality is a negative thing that can only damage a character? and... you're putting homosexuality with beastiality, in the same category of things that should be taboo? if a child is old enough to understand heterosexual relationships(of which there are many in HP), why should homosexuality be too difficult for the child to understand? If i were JKR, I'd be disappointed in all the fans who now say they are disappointed, or can never view the series or character the same way again. I'd feel that I failed to get my message through. The message being one of the power of love, and tolerance of people that are different from yourself; that nobody is greater than the person standing next to them. and I'm fairly certain Harry Potter hasn't been exclusively a children's book for quite some time.

i DONT hve anything against gay ppl but i dont think its right either.... also u noe how old some of th readers are that read hp?? this isnt good... plus i think the only reaon she said this is cuz she wants to sho wthat she accepts ppl.... gay or chubby or lesbians or retards.... if she thought it was in ghis charcter then she wouldda added it in the books but she didnt.... i personally think that she just made this up...

I'm having some trouble seeing this... again not that I have trouble with gay people, this just isn't how I pictured Dumbledore in a million years...

I can't tell you how many times I've checked my calendar to ensure myself that it really isn't april fools today. I see disturbingly many NC-17 fanfics in the makings, and, sadly, they involve the Elder wand. GGAAAAAH, I HATE MY IMAGINATION!

If Dumbledore can be gay, then I can marry Daniel Radcliffe. I wonder how Michael Gambon feels....he plays a gay headmaster. How does Dan feel?

What the heck, this was completely unnecessary and i don't know why she would randomly start talking about Dumbledore's sexuality. It had nothing to do with Harry Potter and the story and it stupid she would do that. JK is my favorite author by far and she needs to stop randomly saying stuff like this!

Besides, what better way to learn about unfamiliar thinsgs through a man like dumbledore. The books show how racism, sexism, or anyother prejudice is bad. Anyone who thinks a gay person is unssuitable for a childs lifestyle, why? because there different? If someone posted a comment on how the didnt like Kingsley because he was black, everyone would flame him. but its apparently ok to encourage other insults!

bdowdy im with mssiriusblack...... i dont think she had this building up since the beggining.... she has recebtly made this... i used to tink her a s someone different but shes just wanting to stay famous... its not goping well for me... plus none of us expected this cuz shipping dont just com to u.. the author has to apply some knowledge to it and none of us actually saw something there til now.. but i still dont see it..

HEY MY COMMENT ABOVE GOT CUT OFF. ANYWAY------------------- > REAL-----------HARRY----- -------------POTTER------ ----------------FANS----- -------------NEVER------- -------------INSULT------ ---------------JKR!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! REAL------------HARRY---- --------POTTER----------- FANS------------ ARE-FANS-FOR-LIFE!!!!!!!! !!OUR LOVE FOR IT WILL NEVER BE TESTED BY A GAY CHARACTER. IF YOU ARE A REAL FAN, EMAIL ME AT: adheule@frontiernet.net-- --------I AM SO PISSED AT SOME OF YOU.

The books are no more for children. I am disgusted that the author has intentionally included obscene innuendos and connotations in the books and 'slipped' them into children's hands. I am directly refering to Aberforth and his goats, which the author obviously cemented in the Q&A. Depicable. I can no more respect her.

OH MY GOD I CAN NOT BELEAVE DUMBYLEDORE IS DAY AH WOW THATS AMAZING AND PETUNIA SHE PROBALY BELEAVED IN HIM ALL ALONG BUT WAS SCIRD TO SAY ANYTHING BECAUSE SHE EVEN WANTED TO GO TO HOGWARTS AND BE LIE HER SISTER SHE WAS JUST SAYING SHE THOUGHT IT WAS WERID BECAUSE SHE DIDNT GET IN SO AT LEAST SHE IS KIND

Quiscalus: I understand your point of Dumbledore being a-sexual. People just don't want to associate old people with sex... let alone a 160 year old guy! of course we'd see them as a-sexual. Heck, I'm still in denial that my own PARENTS ever had sex (though logic dictates they must have, otherwise I wouldn't be here). However if we think back and try to imagine Dumbledore as 17-year old Albus, I have no trouble at all associating him with sexuality, though it would be more difficult if we think about Dumbledore as a 160-year old guy.

This news was recieved in different degrees in my Dorm room. My roomate, extremely tickled by the idea of dumbledore being gay. Myself, I am more or less unaffected by this news. I was happy with him be no-sexual but that he has a sexual orientation and that it happens to be homosexual is no skin off my nose. He is the same character. Good for Neville and Hannah. It's nice to know that after all his BAMFing he was good enough to settle down. Hannah is a lucky girl.

I didn't say anything about it being exclusively a children't book. And I didn't address that bestiality and homosexuality were together in any kind of catagory. Although I do not agree with either, but as I said that is MY opinion. I just said if she wouldn't answer the question about the goats to a young child, she shouldn't have answered a question with an answer of homosexuality (gay) to another child.

whoa. who-hoa. whoa.

Grindeldore forever! Yay for Gay!Dumbledore!

Dragon_queen makes an excellent point: racism is strictly frowned upon, but people seem to feel it's okay to insult others by this... If it's a matter of whether JKR should've mentioned this infront of the young-uns, well, I think that's your opinion. It's the same principle of not telling your 3-year old about some people hating African Americans, or about sex. It just depends on your parenting style there. I feel like this was really out of the blue, and that it was a bit of a last minute decision on JKR's part. The "Madam Pomfrey/Earmuff" quote from SS definitely gave me the idea that Dumbledore was straight, so I feel like this is really contradictory...

Hmmm... of all the things, I never even considered Dumbledore gay! But in a way it kind of makes sense. And I still love him, although I'm sure alot of ignorant people will make a big deal about it. And I knew Petunia wasn't a totally horrible person lol.

peopel who are saying it is no longer for children because of this, Iwould liek to point out, that the other books already give enough to be 'inapropriate'. Dementors, Sirius and Dumbledore dying, people breaking the rules, ogh theirs an infinte amount of things. but the one thing thats not even IN the books, is what deems it inaproriate..

Aberforth118: "maybe Neville Lonbottom was a muslim terrorist" Completely offended. Not only did you insult a character I love you insulted those Muslims who have nothing to do with terrorism such as me. That's completely ignorant of you and you are taking this Dumbledore news too harshly and way out of bounds by bringing in some of your other hatred. Go learn about terrorism's history in this world before shoving your ignorance at people.

shhh. No, not like that. I think it's cool that Dumbledore's gay - poor Sirius can't say Dumby and Minerva are his folks anymore in fanfiction *laughs* - but I personally have no problem with this. Except, Albus Grindlewad as a name is now stuck in my head. XD But I mean, shhh. The US in pretty homophobic, and if Laura Mallory brings this point up in court, she might actually win. Stupid America. I hope they don't actually go ahead and ban it from bookshelves just because Dumbledore's gay. I think it wouldn't have made a difference if he was gay or not in his personality. As for Neville/Hannah - rock on! I never liked Neville/Luna, so I'm very pleased with that. And that made sense, becasue Hannah's a Hufflepuff, a house I always thought Neville would be compatable with. this ship has actually crossed my mind once or twice, but I deemed it as impossible and Harry/Susan bones. It just doesn't borther me as much. But, hey! No more people going 'ZOMG NEVILLE MARRIES LUNa' becasue actually, Luna marries Newt Scamander's grandson and becomes a magizoologist. :) Power to my ships! And now, Petunia. THAT IS AS SWEET AS IT GETS. AWWWWWW! darn you, woman, for not saying it! You woulda made Harry feel 10000000000000000000000 times better. Ahem. That is the nicest thing JK could have come up with.

This makes me happy. It's also funny since Mugglenet (you bigots) didn't want to have any gayness in your fanfiction for such a long time.

I truly don't understand why some of you are so effected by this news. Our Dumbledore is obviously still the same character. If you didn't realize that he was gay while reading, why should your view be changed now, I wonder. Jo did nothing but give you a bit more information; this board is showing how bigotted the world can be.

ummm u guys dont lik ethis either u noe..... u just wann abe jkr fans its kinda obvious.... okay who honestly thought hed begay noone... she made it up aoutta the blue!! wuts up with her fame/pubilicitty wanting??? she doesnt really care about hp no more.... she just llikes the money....

felixfelicis888 IM WITH YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Daniel_Radcliffe_Is_My_Hu sband, WE GOT THE D@MN POINT! You like the fact that Dumbledore's queer. Okay. Garsh.

Dragon_Queen is right. Have you learned NOTHING from the Harry Potter series. It's all about tolerance. Didn't you all say Harry Potter is so great because it can be applied to the real world? So, you look at all these prejudices from Harry's world and agree that they are wrong, but when it comes to applying the messages to real life, you don't even think twice about it.

what. this cant be right.

when i thought about dumbledore, sexuality never even crosses my mind. but we find out in the last book that he's not all that we thought he was and now he's gay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !! i have nothing against gays but its going to be hard to look at dumbledore the same. J.K. should have kept it to herself

wow i'm fine with dumbledore being gay. It really doesn't make a difference. The thing that makes me angry here is that she said it AFTER the books are done. Why reveal all this information? IMO after the books are done, the rest is left up to the reader's interpretation.

My fellow Grindeldorians; today we celebrate the canonization of Gellbus Grindeldore!

The last thing I want to say is directed to sirius_lee. it wasnt like she just randomly out of the blue said DUMBLEDORSE GAY!!!. A question was asked. she answered that simple. If she wanted publicity, all she would have to do, was to announce what she would be writing next. Or just agree with Laura. either way.

Dragonqueen4ever , jsut cos a question was asked doesn't mean she knew about it be4 and just decided to tell us now cos she forgot to b4

You know what pisses me off about these discussions. the people who always reply with "Im not homophobic...BUT! that is the oldest and most cheapest trick in the book. You just assume it gives you instant credit to show you're on my side. well it doesn't. If you can't agree that a homosexual relationship/person is just as natural 9yes it is!) )and normal as a heterosexual relationship then i'm sorry you're homophobic! You may not cross the street when you see a gay couple approaching but you're definatly not on my side here, okay! If you have that opinon. eventhough i feel it is a ridiculous and unrealistic view of the world. please have the guts to live up to that opinion. and come out of the homophobic closet! That said: I think it makes a lot of sense for dumbledore at one point in time to have feelings for another man.Let's leave all those gay/straight labels behind! I mean we're all human beings here. It brings a lot more emotional weight to his relationship with grindlewald. And makes him a more real person.

you said it was a children's book, i said it wasnt exclusively a childrens book. and saying that since she wouldnt answer the question about the goats, she shouldnt have answered the one with homosexuality is implying that both are in the same category. and could everyone please just read the story and see that she was asked a question about dumbledore ever finding love. She didnt just start randomly shouting that dumbledore was gay. ugh. i'm done with this.

Gellbus Grindeldore is canon!

Sirius_lee: I wonder-do you really believe that Jo is really not into Harry anymore. She is the most genuine person in the world, and she talks about her characters as if they are her own children. HP has been her life for 17 years...I just can't believe that she would only be in it for personal profit. It just doesn't fit.

YAY!!!!!!!!!!1 DUMBLEDORE IS GAY!!!! OMG, I'M SOOOOOOO HAPPY! JK ROWLING SUPPORTS GAY PEOPLE!!!!!!!!!!!! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And he was in love with Gellert, too! =0000000 I have to go write a fanfic! But I admit, I was a bit disappointed about Neville and Hannah. I'm glad they're happy, but N/L is my OTP FOREVER!!!!!!! *sighs* I love Aunt Petunia now...=)

HE WAS GAY!!!!! I WOULD HAVE NEVER GUESSED THAT!!! WAIT TELL I TELL MY FRIENDS AT SCHOOL........

Dragon_queen4ever, there are people who find homosexuality to be immoral, hence the gay-rights debate. I have said this before: if people want to express their opinions, they should do it in an intelligent and polite way, and not like 'omg i h8 gays bcuz my relygun sez so!!12211!!'

Even if you're misguided enough to think that homosexuality is morally wrong, that is still not an argument for bubblewrapping children against reality. I'm with Jo: I think that to try to shelter children from mildly uncomfortable truths is an injustice. Children who grow up like that are simply not prepared once the time comes for them to set foot in the harshness of the real world.

but honestly, how good could she be at coming up with the most random answer within a couple of seconds. Besides, she had also sent a notice to Yates due to him adding a line that involved a girl who used to have interest in dumby. This means that she had planned him being gay previously.

sirius_lee: use spellcheck before you post for pete's sake! And Quantummilkshake: I completely agree with you! Love and tolerance over hatred and prejudice!

Whatever the author is trying to convey is so mixed up. It shows either how immature she at storytelling is or how bad her editors have become. READ until book 3 but not beyond! PLotlines do NOT need to be resolved after the final book has been published..or it may be that she is leaving the door open for another book(a wise investment opportunity), she has every right to do so.

ok if this had been said BEFORE DH i would have said WTF? IT DOESN'T ADD UP! but now, it makes sense, with the whole grindelwald thing. they weren't friends for a very long time, and then didn't see each other for like 40 years. why wouldn't dumbledore go and defeat him earlier when grindelwald was being his most evil? because he was in love with grindelwald. just like with snape, he is loyal to dumbledore until the end, and even kills dumbledore for him, just so he can save lily's son, and in the end, he wants to look into lily's eyes, even after all those years. i want to know, i wonder if it was in reeta skeeters' book--the life and lies of albus dumbledore? i bet it was, because she was talking about the weird relationship between dumbledore and harry, so i bet she did have some insinuations there.