oh, IRONIC MOMENT OF REVELATION: i remember how overjoyed i was that a straight man like dumbly would wear a vivid purple velvet suit to visit tom riddle at the muggle orphanage and wishing i knew more straight guys like that -dreamy sigh- heh, i wish albus was real. what a wicked cool character.

i_loverz_HP - Do you think I honestly chose to be gay so that I could sit here and listen to the crap and hatred that is spilling on the message board? Yeah, right. I didn't choose to be this way, and most days I wish I wasnt. But I can't change it. So don't judge something you dont understand.

i_loverz_HP, I have to disagree. You can believe what you want about that, but I will say that I once thought that way, & now my eyes have been opened. I do know multiple people who share my religious beliefs and they do /not/ choose to be gay. It is something that they struggle tremendously with and it is very hard for them.

HPFANTimothy - You're 13? Oh, holy cow, get back to me in 20 years, pumpkin. I'm beating my head against the monitor talking to children about how to raise children!

ruthietoothie9-- Come on, why are you correcting people's grammar. Have you noticed that this is not english class. wondermus22--I agree with you completely and I wish these people would open up their ignorant eyes and look at the science of the thing. Scientists have been saying for years that there is not a choice.

Making a purely objective opinion here but - why on earth would somebody CHOOSE to be gay if they were exposed to even a fraction of the ridicule that is being exposed here...?

As for ruthietoothie9 - I'm so glad to know that its a parental right to pass down hatred and biggorty to children. I'll remember your posts when my kids are old enough to understand.

wow i love talking to you guys. so full of fun and good cheer.

oh i believe it and i know its true.....who cares some people dont want there children reading about gay people cuz they know its wrong its their decision. OMG!!!!! i wouldn't want my kid reading about gay people just as much as i wouldn't want them watching porn. its their own dang lives...they are just stating their opinions....THIS IS MADNESS!!!!

Okay, Jo wasn't "making these facts up" just now. If anyone knew anything about these books, they would realize that she has spent the better part of 15 years coming up with every single detail that has gone into making HP as big as it is now. She is releasing them now, because the fans are hungry for more information. And yeah, she will be releasing more when she writes an encyclopedia (she said she was going to). And actually what I meant to say was, "They are good literature." That was a stupid typo, which had nothing to do with my parents. And actually, I think HPFANTimothy was making a good point. You seem to have paid more attention to his age than his actual argument.

ruthietoothie, I find it bold of you to say that I must not have a good relationship with the adults in my life. I consider my mother to be my best friend. Just because I found comfort in reading a book doesn't mean that I didn't appreciate what my mom helped me with then and don't appreciate her now. I've just always sought more knowledge and enjoy reading literature of all kinds. What a day will it be when you realize your kids don't adhere to all of your beliefs and wishes as much as you hoped they would.

ruthietoothie9-- Actually, HPFANTimothy made a pretty mature statement, and I was suprised to find that he was only 13. Besides, children provide the best perspective on other kids.

I just want to say to some people here - just because some people, like me, believe that homosexuality is an immoral lifestyle, does /not/ mean that we /hate/ the people who happen to be gay. I have the same amount of respect for them as I do anyone else because I know they cannot help it.

Just because something is unfamiliar doesn't mean you have to bash it. I was as shocked as anyone else about Dumbledore for the sole reason that I never saw it coming. I don't have a problem with homosexuality or that Dumbledore lived that way. It didn't play a role in the books so it really doesn't matter that much now, either.

i wouldn't want my children to read about gay ppl.

it's so great that you all care so much about children you haven't even met.

ok, so you may not want your children reading about gay people, but in the series, Dumbledore being gay is never mentioned. It is not like the books discuss his love relations. Being gay does not, in any way, define Dumbledore.

dannyrob15-- why not, they'll find out about it eventually. It isn't like if you say no, you can't read that, they're just gonna say, okay. They're going to ask questions, because that's what children do. They'll find out one way or another.

Oh, wondermus22 - I do hope you will remember. If more parents were involved in the moral indoctrination of their children there would be less teen pregnancy, less violent crime, less cruelty and intolerance . . . You have all made the false and intolerant judgment against me that I am homophobic, intolerant or something else equally stupid. You know nothing about me but that I choose to teach my children to make moral choices. Anything else you have made up in your own young minds. For instance, what would you say about me if you knew that my brother committed suicide over sexual addiction for which a society of people like you tormented him until he hung himself from a tree in the middle of nowhere? You are all so young and inexperienced, you know nothing of real life and real pain. Your world is centered around whether fictional characters are gay or not. My life is about raising children who are happy. My husband just added this: I'm not homophobic, I'm a parent.

panetteri - I think what some people are more offended by is the knowledge that you find who someone else is, or is not attracted to, immoral and something to be 'helped'. If I were to stop reading the books on the basis of finding out that Dumbledore's eyes were grey rather than the more common blue, or that he preferred strawberry icecream over the more popular chocolate, then I imagine you'd all call me ridiculous. Especially if I went to lengths to stop my children from ever tasting strawberyy icecream or meeting people with grey eyes. I believe everyone is entitled to their own opinion and I am simply trying to convey the fact that for a great number of people this debate is not so different from the icecream/eye colour issues.

Potterfanatic93 - Some day children are going to interact with my children. I would rather have those children be tolerant and respectful rather than scared and hateful. One day my children will have to say, "I have one dad" or "I have two dads". The point is, young children are our future. Hate begets hate, but even more powerfully, love begets love.

i'm just saying i don't want them reading ABOUT gay ppl. of course i would want my children to read hp. i don't know why but i just find it a little weird that dumbly is gay cuz i didn't picture him as gay.

ruthietoothie, i'd like to ask you a question. first off, i'm sorry about your brother. I too had a friend who commited suicide because he was gay, and his parents simply would not accept him as a part of their family anymore. Would you tell your children homosexuality is wrong, or do you simply not want to expose it to them yet ? Because, if one of them turns out to be gay, you wouldn't want them hiding it from you and making his/herself miserable for it.

Lol....okay so if i wanted to be gay (which i dont) but if i did then i do it because i wanted to i wouldn't care what others that its their own problem if they get butt hurt about it....so dont take it so personally some people think its a okay others dont...what if someone decides to date this guy and this someone is a girl right stay with me on this okay so shes dating this gay happily for 1 yr then all of a sudden he starts like beating her the outcome from this is bad but she decided to date him (k that really didn't make any sense but it does to me so sorry if u cant understand me oh well).....i think people decide to be gay and it mostly happens in the teen yrs....when it comes out more....i see it everyday unless im sick in bad HA! and bi people what are they born to like both gender.....thanks ruthietoothie9..ur prutty cool do. AWESOME. hahahahahahah we be big baller.s

ruthietoothie9-- You said moral indoctrination? Well, we don't all have the same morals. Maybe you want to teach them that homosexuality is immoral. fine, but how will that lead to LESS intolerence? And also, how did people like us drive you brother to committ suicide? I have never said anything about sex addiction

wow. ruthietoothie just spanked you guys.

Well, I see that the comments are full to the brim with uneducated hypocrites :) To answer some FAQs: “omg!! TMI!! Why did she even tell us that?� BECAUSE SOMEONE ASKED HER! Honestly, do you people read? Someone asked a question, and she gave a truthful answer, DUH. “That doesn't even have to do anything with the plot!� Au Contraire, it does. If you do recall reading the book, Dumbledore procrastinated killing Grindlewald for several years, it makes perfect sense now - he was gay, and in love with him. And (again, if you recall reading the book), never once does JK mention sexuality whatsoever. “Why did she have to make DUMBLEDORE gay??� Because homosexuality exists in the world. Jo is what we call a realist, boys and girls, and homosexuality is real. It’s not something we can just wish away and pretend it doesn’t exist. “I haven’t got anything against gays, but omg! This has changed my outlook on Dumbledore forever!� Oh hey, guess what! YOU DO. You are prejudiced (meaning, you let inconsequential details of a person such as race, religion etc, effect your esteem for a person) against gays. That is known as homosexuality. Which is inexcusable, and as bad as racism. To be honest, I am thoroughly appalled with everyone’s reaction. You’ll never see Dumbledore the same again? That’s why Dumbledore loved Harry, because he was GAY? I am quite disgusted. I’ve also gotten a reality check. The vast population remains to be quite brazenly homophobic. I hope one day you look back on this and feel ashamed of yourselves.

I don't think people should really be telling others how to raise their kids on a Harry Potter fansite. This is getting way out of hand. It's the fact that many people are going to stop reading these books because of DD's homosexuality, which has no changed anything, that we're supposed to arguing, right?! Not dissing each others' moms. It is a parent's decision on how to raise their kids, but it really isn't possible to shield children from the realities of the world. People are gay. I find it ironic that so many people are bashing a book, when every single television show ever created has had atleast some sexual reference to it. Even "kids'" shows. Books are supposed to teach kids, not "indoctrine" them with evils. And also, ruthietoothie, I don't think you can really judge everyone on here by their age. There are tons of kids who have been through enough to be able to give their own opinions maturely. People shouldn't be making so many assumptions about each other.

ruthietoothie9--Just because some of us are young it dose not mean we are stupid, dumbledor is i great character it dose not matter if he is gay. and the reason people ary calling you homophobis is because what you are saying is.

Wow... Dumbledore always reminded me of my English teacher. Now it's confirmed... my teacher is Dumbledore incarnate. Anyways... Don't hate, ppl. If you think it's offensive; A- it's FICTION, and B, it never made it into the books. Chill.

Ceywood - Your remark about grey eyes and strawberry ice cream demonstrates perfectly what is so wrong about JKRs attempt at indoctrination. Here we have an entire website now dedicated to the discussion of why homosexuality is ok. How is homosexuality ok??? Its awful. Homosexuals are left with lives that are bitter and unhappy because society, by and large, cannot and will not accept that lifestyle as mainstream or even acceptable. Here is an entire website full of hormonal and sex-infatuated teens and pre-teens who are now thinking about what is, unquestionably, a miserable lifestyle. And don't try to tell me I don't know what I'm talking about. I've known too many gay people who have admitted that their lifestyle choices made them miserable to not know.

Thank you candygrl and chflitwick! And ruthietoothie9? Don’t judge me because of my age. I’ve had a really good learning education, and I’m in English Extension. I personally find that children are sometimes underestimated by their maturity levels, just by expressing views.

and kids will find out about gay people that doesn't mean u have let them read about it.....they will find out about sex too doesnt mean i have to hand them a pile of porn and be like enjoy...

My life is NOT miserable, and it is NOT a choice.

"Homosexuals are left with lives that are bitter and unhappy because society, by and large, cannot and will not accept that lifestyle as mainstream or even acceptable." Come on, you teaching your children that it is wrong is REALLY helping the plight of the world's homosexuals, right?

she should have made someone else gay... like seamus i don't know. don't worry alizzzle i understood wat u said...well most of it...some of it. but i agree.

ruthietoothie- Homosexuals are not ALL left with lives that are bitter and unhappy. Please. I go to the college in nyc ranked #1 for people who are accepting and tolerant of homosexuals, transgenders, etc. I know very very few gays who are unhappy with their lifestyles. Don't cast a stereotype that is based only on your experiences with homosexuals. I know there are many homosexuals who do wish they were heterosexual, but there are also many who are content.

Who ever said I was interested in "helping the plight of the world's homosexuals"? LOL The really funny thing is how several of you reacted so immaturely and insisted that you are mature! LOLOLOL Nobody is mature at 13, darling. I know, I thought I was at your age too, but nobody is mature at your age. Keep fighting the good fight, though, kiddo. You'll get there someday.

Please ruthietoothie, i'm sorry about your brother but why is this relevant. Yeah i had crap and horrible deaths in my life so there! does that give me the right to use that as justification in any debate. And don't get me wrong i don't think you're stupid and i don't thinki your a bad parent, i do think however that you should choose your words a bit better. you talk about indoctrinating children (never a good thing no matter how you explain it). Teaching children right and wrong might be a better wordchoise. Ofcourse every child has a right to it's own opinion but ruthie let me ask you this. if one of your children in a couple of years confesses to you that he or she would be gay how would you react? (and would you blame stuff like reading harry potter for it?)

Oh my gosh!! Dumbledore is gay?!?! Never in my right mind did I think he would be gay. I thought it was a joke at first, I had to re-read the whole thing again to be sure, and that wasnt a joke.. wow!

hello everyone...and i do agree...being gay doesn't mean you are miserable...how are you wondermus22? and danny and everyone?

lol hpfantimothy. "I'm in English Extension" well aren't you a minature charles dickens!

thanks danizzle im really bad at explaing stuff but in my own mind i know what iam trying to say lol. well my orange slice im going to bed now so have fun battling out this topic without me since we agree on everything. lol. goodnight niglet. i love you. :]]

Ruthietoothie, first of all I have not been indoctrinated by JKR (and neither do I believe that she is trying to indoctrinate people though as neither of us can substantiate these claims I suggest we don't debate it) and I've held these same beliefs since well before I began reading Harry Potter a decade ago. And now we get to the crux of the matter - you say homosexuality is awful and I say it's not. But the difference between our stances is that whether someone is homosexual or not does not affect how I perceive or treat them - just the same as their icecream preference of eye colour. Futhermore I too am very sorry abotu your brother but I have a similar story from the exact opposite perspective - the people I've known who have committed suicide have all been religious and those who are homosexual are all living very happily - which I believe has nothing in fact to do with their sexual preference just as my own sexual preference does not dictate how happy I am with my life. As to your assertion that perople who are homosexual will never be happy because "society, by and large, cannot and will not accept that lifestyle as mainstream or even acceptable" then perhaps this indicates that society's intolerance is the problem and not homosexuality?

Hey Honeydukes, heading to bed soon. Not sure how much more of this I can take.

being gay is no more a choice than my having cerebral palsy i did not chose this life and neither do they. i have been treated badly and know how it feels. i want my childern to be tolarent of All people! -- ruthietoothie9 my friend was gay and she commited suciscide this summer because of the intolarence from her parrents,

Most homosexuals don't choose their sexual orientation, just like heterosexuals don't. And saying that homosexuality is awful because is makes people unhappy does not make sense either. I know many homosexuals who are completely at ease with their orientation, and everyone around them are at ease with it too. HETEROsexual people kill themselves over love. That doesn't make it awful, does it?? And saying that people should steer clear from it because it is undermined by society IS prejudiced. Society isn't always right, you know.

bye alizzle!!! we will stand and fight...hey honey!

I'm sorry if I seem rude, because that is not at all my intention, but I felt I needed to say something when you moved from criticizing viewpoints to criticizing viewpoints based purely on age. I have encountered varied cases of ageism in my life, and I find it to be a very narrow-minded way to stereotype the maturity of anyone.

http://i231.photobucket.c om/albums/ee16/buster99br own/100_1027.jpg - kay guys. everyone on now will have no idea what i am talking about but here is proof that i was indeed at the open book tour on october nineteenth. sorry it took so long, this was not exactly on the top of my agenda for tonight. so anyways, here you go HARRIET_LILLY_SNAPE here it is, two signatures and two tickets between the books. so bite me.