I understand a lot of people freaking out about this, although I think it was hinted at in the books. However, there's a huge difference between Dumbledore being a man who felt love for another man as a teen, but remains celibate for most of his life...and Dumbledore being in an active gay relationship during the time span of the books. The latter would be gross and kind of disturbing; the former is fine and understandable given his life story.

Luna_Black: Repost because she didn't get it the first two times: Apparently I'm going to have to explain to you once again. In addition to condemning homosexuality, the Bible also explicitly condones slavery (on several occasions, all throughout). If you're going to condemn Jo as a hypocrite for rejecting the Bible's words against homosexuality, you must also condemn yourself for rejecting the Bible's words of approval for slavery. The only way to escape this is if you in fact agree with the Bible that slavery is acceptable. If you don't agree with the Bible's postion on slavery, then you yourself are a hypocrite, because like Jo, you are rejecting certain teachings of the Bible--and a hypocrite one time more for condemning in Jo the behavior that you yourself are guilty of (that is, rejecting certain Biblical teachings, yet calling yourself a Christian).

jk says hes gay. therefore, the casual reader will interpret that as...dumbledore is gay. like you said, its how other people interpret the book that matters.

texaspotterfan: the media is DEFINITELY going to make a big issue out of this, in fact it already has. i'm disappointed in the people who are saying they'll never be able to read the books again, [because i thought dumbly couldn't get any cooler and he just did heh :P] and at the same time, i'm sad that so many potential readers may shy away from the series because of this.

THIS post is gay... not dumbledore...

autumnwramth - actually it never was in the books. she just randomly decided that he should be gay. which is ridiculous. JUST because he never was romantic with a GIRL. DOESNT mean he has to be gay. MANY ppl never get married or w.e. and im not gonna like a person because they are gay. but i dont think its right, im sorry to everyone who disagrees. its just my religion

Araminta- The argument you're trying to make is weak. The bible is a compendium of hundreds oh different authors over hundreds of years, filtered and edited by a funnel of bureaucracy, intolerance, and economic influence. It also consists of two testaments that often contradict one another. It is IMPOSSIBLE for a person to solely adhere to every concept in the Bible as moral canon. Furthermore, Christianity does not entail believing fully in every biblical teaching, but rather following in the footsteps of Christ, who promoted equality, forgiveness, and love--unlike much of the Old Testament. And FURTHERMORE, the argument over whether or not Christian teachings and also the Bible explicitly label Homosexuality as a sin is complicated and multi-faceted. To say "Christianity or the Bible say being Gay is a sin" is essentially oversimplified and potentially incorrect. On a personal note, I feel that people who blindly follow the TEXT of the Bible (we call them Fundamentalists) simply because it is a old book with authority are foolish and simple. I feel that no one should ever blindly accept anything that they're told, but instead try to reason things out for themselves.

Sirius_lee: That's a mature response. roxorgirl13: Perhaps JKR did not include this in the book because she did not want people to focus on it as a problem or something which made him different, (and cause the kind of fuss which is happening on this thread) and instead have readers concentrate on the storyline? I don't get why people are comparing this to things that would not happen e.g Voldy falling in love (1. I have a strange suspicion that a main theme in the book was that he couldn't love and 2. He's dead.) how is someone being gay such a shock to people, especially in this day and age?

Sirius_lee... do you really need to repeat yourself so many times? It is like you are a little kid throwing a tantrum:(

THAT IS SO FREAKIN' COOL!!!!! :D

HOW MANY COMMENTS ARE THERE GOING TO BE?

ohhthecheat - Thank you for putting into words what I was trying to say. Well said!

And exactly what ksbiamgine said. MY Dumbledore is not gay. DUMBLEDORE is to MORAL. So Rowling just ruined it for a lot of kids.

all right everyone quit yelling at the ones who don't like people who are gay. that's what they were taught to believe and there not being "narrow minded". when you tell people their wrong about this sort of thing you yourself are being narrow minded. so lay off

Ohhthecheat: You didn't read my post carefully. I was criticising Luna_Black for holding the very views which you just got done condemning. I agree with you 110%.

ohhthecheat: wonderfully stated! on another note, i can't wait to find out what emerson says when he appears on geraldo tonight!

Oh, everybody grow up. I find the whole subject hilarious. I can't wait for the encyclopedia because the Pttoter Universe updates have been highly entertaining. What more will JKR say? I'm waiting, Jo.

andycrao i am having a tantrum aiight?? and to think i thought u wre cool....

dannyrob15: You know what? Be someone who thinks homosexuality is wrong is just as bad as being against a racist and a sexist. I have several gay male friends and they say they didn't CHOOSE to be gay. It's something inborn. Did you CHOOSE to be straight? Gays just don't wake up one morning and say, "Huh. You know, I think I'm going to be attracted to my own sex from now on." It doesn't work like that. That's also just like saying people with mental disabilities CHOOSE to be that way. Not saying homosexuality is a mental, disease. Tolerance is taught in the Harry Potter books. Obviously, you didn't learn much from them.

dannyrob15: You know what? Be someone who thinks homosexuality is wrong is just as bad as being a racist and a sexist. I have several gay male friends and they say they didn't CHOOSE to be gay. It's something inborn. Did you CHOOSE to be straight? Gays just don't wake up one morning and say, "Huh. You know, I think I'm going to be attracted to my own sex from now on." It doesn't work like that. That's also just like saying people with mental disabilities CHOOSE to be that way. Not saying homosexuality is a mental, disease. Tolerance is taught in the Harry Potter books. Obviously, you didn't learn much from them.

Moonal - What time is he on?

hahaha sirius_lee, anyways. thanks Potterfanatic93 :D. and like it wouldnt have made me soo mad, other than the fact that its not sigfinicant to the book. it just causes publicity and what not. Rowling is just putting herself in a bigger hole with the ppl who belive in what the biible says and follows it.

I thought everyone knew that!

sirius_lee- get a life. the rest of you: i hope your image of HP does not get distorted. it has been this way the ENTIRE time (even though we didnt know it) are you all going to let this ruin your love of the series or love of the character?

dreams_wishes17 don u dare insult danny!!! ill hunt u down and stalk u for thta and one day ull wake up and not be gay anymore....

wondermus: around 7:30ish, during the latter half of the show. ben just posted about it a little while ago - i guess this thread is taking up everyone's attention heh ;) i'm having difficulties processing how being homosexual is immoral. ugh. dumbledore is one of the best characters in the book - he exemplifies the positive attributes of honesty, steadfastness, bravery, loyalty, love, open-mindedness. how can the idea of him being gay cancel all of those characteristics? that simply does not make any sense!

1227! ha ha! jk.

Potterfanatic93: So would you accept it if I said I have been brought up to hate black people, so I am not narrow minded? Or that I think Islam is silly, or I hate all people with ginger hair just because I do? If you didn't refuse to read the HP books again when you found out Dumbledore perhaps had a part to play in the death of his sister (just one shocking revelation about his past) then why should this one stop you reading it? I feel that Sexism and Racism get far harsher punishments - I am neither of these things, but if I said that I would not read Hp because one of the Trio was a girl, or because someone in it was black and I didn't like it, would you be saying I am broad minded and anybody criticizing me is narrow minded. I don't think so. dreams_wishes17: I agree :)

Cheesecakians love Grindeldore!

i_had_fever_fuddge y are u talking to me? i dont even noe u... so how would u noe thta i dpont have a life? ur so retarded u NOOB!! (thats for u grinds :D )

Repost this: Luna_Black, the BIBLE does not approve of slavery, I dont know where you heard that. Slaves in Egypt, Pharoh wasnt a Christian lol. You logic doesnt make any sense, "you object to gay people so that means YOU APPROVE of slavery." Lol that that makes me laugh. YOU HAVE bad premises and a bad conclusion. Using "your" logic you approve of gay people therefore you are a post-modernist.

stop bashing sirius.

umm ohhthecheat - why would God give us the bible to learn and follow from if it isnt correct?? its like a teacher giving a student a study guide with the wrong way to find the answer to a problem. --- and sirius_lee, i go up to the next post too cuz this one is crazyy

To be honest, Im like you, my eyes have been glued to the comments all day. I havent been back to the main page yet. Oh how I love a lively debate.

Dear latent homosexuals, get over yourself.

The whole Dumbledore thing is a bad joke, isn't it? Because it prety much ruins things for me. I'm not homophobic at all, but Dumbledore's flaws in the books were more than enough for me.

Sirius_Lee... that is what it looks like when you repeat a sentence five times. I have been reading your comments all day long, and for the most part they have been good (i dont agree with them) but they have been good. Then, you started getting really angry, and your posts keep getting weirder. Then... you repeat... I understand your point. You were shocked by what JK told us. But.... ( :) ) she has been dropping little clues about Harry's world all summer long...and we have applauded and asked for more. I hope that by the end of the week, we will all get along as if we always knew that Dumbledore was gay:)

hey i'm back everyone!!!!

I actually read this in the Globe and Mail first. My exact reaction: "no...it's just a rumour that JK will debunk before the end of the article...oh, it's true? That's awesome! Go Dumbledore!" So far out of left field, but so cool! Dumbledore just gets cooler and cooler by the day.

BeckyWannaCuppa you can't blame them for being taught what to believe in. blame the ones who taught them that.

Ginny_Guerra -how is being gay an additional flaw?

On another note I'd just like to add that Rowling is one of the brightest and cleverest fiction writers of our time. Her works are like a new Bible of morality for our generation. She preaches love, acceptance, virtue and hard work. Releasing this information officially at this time is a perfect move. Look how many thousands of readers are in an uproar simply because one of their heroes turned out to be gay from the beginning. This is a testament to the attitude that many bigoted people have today. They have respect and love for a character because of this virtue and wisdom throughout the series, and they even forgive him for his weaknesses in Book 7. But when they find out that he is "GAY," they can no longer love him. This is sad and pathetic. He was a great man because of his actions in life. A fan who claims to think as Jo does, and then rejects her and Dumbledore because of a fact that upsets them, sexual preference that doesn't actually change the plot of the story, is not a fan, and is one of the common minded people that Jo's writing combats. Obviously, she released the information at this time because she knew that this response would arise. By locking in the fandom of these readers, and then releasing the fact, she was able to not only send a clear social message, but she was able to bolster its effectiveness by showing how many people fail to actually understand her writing and the way of life and morality that she encourages.

hye

this is a most wonderful move! but in response to anyone against this or troubled by this, you're a bigot. thats right, equal to someone who is racist, sexist, etc. Rowling has done something extremely momentous with creating a gay character in children's literature. Have none of you even considered the beneficial impact this can have for gay children/teens or children of gay parents? Seeing a POSITIVE role model, and not a gay villain - as gay characters more often than not are represented - is an extremely wonderful and good thing! Gay people are a part of this world whether you want to admit it or not. And some of the greatest thinkers in this world have been gay, lesbian, bisexual, etc. So it is wonderful Rowling extends their existence into her world. And she wasn't just mentioning, she was answering a question and it is part of the larger narrative work. It illustrates that Dumbledore was tempted to evil - NOT BECAUSE HE WAS GAY - but because he truly loved Grindlewald and up to a certain point would do anything for him. As for those disgusted by it because being gay automatically links to discussions of sex, how undeducated are you? What is sexually about saying Dumbledore loved a man? Or gay men love other men? Its just as sexual as saying Harry loved Ginny. And is not more problematic that Rowling has had characters dating at the ages of 14 and 15? If you can support or chose not to believe Rowling go ahead, but she already has your money so you're already supporting her and her liberal perspectives. So bigots, i hope that if you have children, they do hear this and that they unlike you enjoy it. And for those who don't have children and are just homophobic, grow a brain and educate yourself because this in way is going to hurt the Harry Potter franchise, so you can go and protest the movies and refuse to watch them because you can't enjoy them anymore. But won't that just illustrate how close minded and pig-headed YOU are?

please guys, why does this have to be a huge deal? just accept the fact-- hes gay. and i hope you arent all thinking of the typical gay sterotype, becuz i dont think jk meant he was like that. he fell in love with grendelwald (and not to mention grindelwalds ideas). dumbledore is still everything he ever was in the books, and the books still rock.

well i think gellart girdewald is SEXY

I thought that JK could never disappoint me - well clearly I was wrong!

Nicely said dreams_wishes 17.

Autumn: The Bible absolutely does approve of slavery. The Jews being freed from captivity does not make that any less so, particularly when you consider that the law God dictated to the freed Jews specifically mandated how they were to treat THEIR OWN SLAVES. The reason the Jews were freed was then obviously not that slavery is bad -- if so, why would God have told them it is fine for them to own slaves? -- but because the Jews were loyal to God, while the Pharoah was God's enemy. For more about the Bible's stance on slavery read: http://www.evilbible.com/ Slavery.htm

God can't everybody just shut up about this. Every fantasy story is made by the person's interpretation of it. No two people's Harry Potter's are the same. JKR didn't write specifically that he was gay, so if you don't want him to be gay in your world, just imagine him as straight. It's really not that hard.