My mind is blown. But seriously Jo, way to make yourself even more of a target. I can smell the inevitable wank coming from miles away.

Tony_the_Terrible: the definition of homophobia has nothing to do with fear as in "Oh, I'm scared of highs, and gays too!" So don't try to go all Webster's on our asses. Homophobia is any comment that is derogative or offensive or intolerant in any way towards anyone who does not identify themselves with the "straight" mentality or the gender binary. So, yes, you are being a homophobe. I should know, I work in a Queer alliance and outreach centre.

OK......I think she should of kept her mouth shut and let the book do the talking....LUNA AND NEVILLE not Hannah im so maddd! i HATE HANNAH lol.... OK This Albus being gay...Im ******* ****** off.... This is ridiclous and not even needed to be mentioned... Im so sick of this after stuff!

Harriet_Lily_Snape, discrimination against homosexuals is not a laughing matter. Again, you have shown your ignorance. Please jump of a cliff.

Voldy: So now I discriminate against gays because I do not support their lifestyle, and through religion, believe it to be immoral? Basically, then, I discriminate against gays because I disagree with you? Perhaps I am being discriminated against by having my opinion criticized by all these "open-minded" people.

I don't think it is so much as people getting pissed that certain things are being said about a fictional charcter but the fact that the issue relating to that charcter is a very real issue. One apparently that brings out very strong opinions and is prone to cause arguements. It is that certain things being said about the gay issue is what is pissing people off, on both ends.

whitebumblebee --- The first two films were just the best. They were so innocent and ungayified (

i like the dumbledore in the first two films, i wish he wouldnt have died, the new one isnt as i pictured dumbledore, not as soft spoken or caring, the guy in the first two nailed that part....RIP

Sophie: We just call people from the southern US "southerners", but I can see how that would be somewhat vague to a foreigner. I guess the best thing to call them would be a "southerner from the US". :)

Harriet_Lily_Snape: your research might be a bit skewed. I think that most, if not all, people in here realize that HP is fictional. Just check the section in the book store/library where the books are kept. Everyone who has posted tonight has feelings about the implications of this news on HP fandom at large. While I can appreciate your research, having completed an undergrad thesis on HP, saying things that you knew would upset people, and lead them to believe that you take this 'HP stuff way too seriously' as well, is something that I don't agree with. To each their own, I know, but you're gaining amusement from something that others are taking to heart. Again, one person's opinion.

tolosegt --- So sad. The only thing your little mind can come up with as a retort is violence. Daddy hit you too much as a baby. Grow up Jr. Telling people to jump off cliffs is just retarded. You are embarrassing yourself. Maybe you should try and go outside and walk around. The fresh air might do you some good. You apparently spend too much time reading fantasy and living in a fantasy world...I pity you. whitebumblebee --- You are so right. The DD in the first two movies was the best. He was so sweet and he actually read the books.

P.S. i'm in love with the weasley twins

Harriet_Lily_Snape: I think the issue is not that people think that Dumbledore is a real person. The real issue is the homophobic bigotry being expressed on this thread. Since those posts were the result of a news story stating Dumbledore as gay, yes, the people posting are going to reference the character.

MUGGLENET STAFF: PLEASE SHUT DOWN THIS COMMENTS THREAD. I've read more than enough bigotry and arguing for the day. I sincerely hope that for all you people out there who are anti-gay that one day one of your children or a close family member or friend comes out to you, and that maybe you'll take the time to understand their situation and become aware of the world surrounding you. Maybe then you will see that we're not sick people, we didn't make a conscious decision for this lifestyle (why would anyone choose to be hated and discriminated against?), and who we're attracted to is none of your effing business or concern. My Dad had to come out to my mom and I after 20 years of marriage, you think that was easy for him, or any of us? You think he chose that? You choose your friends, your school, your major, hell you even choose your religion. Not your sexual orientation. AND TO EVERYONE ELSE: BE PROUD. I'm a woman, and I am proud to say that I can love a man, a woman or anything in between, because it's the person that counts, not their genitals. AND I WILL ALWAYS LOVE EVERYTHING HARRY POTTER!

whitebumblebee: "P.S. i'm in love with the weasley twins" Deathly Hallows must have been rough for you then, huh? :P

BTW may I just mention that Richard Harris, the actor who played Dumbledore in the first two movies, was an openly gay man. Just thought I'd mention...

OH MY FRICKIN GOD! WHAT?!?!?! Dumbledore is gay???????????? That is certainly a surprise.

Harriet_Lily_Snape, it seems that I have hit a nerve. Not just merely glanced, but possibly released the savage and destructive in you. Flaming does not become you my friend. I'm sorry, did a family member walk off a cliff while doing his/her Master's Thesis as well? If so, you have my condolences. I just happen to be writing my literature essay on people trivializing important social matters in the 21st Century. I thank you dearly for contributing a great portion to my essay.

LMAO catie 1, way to go on slipping that little comment right on in.

i cried for sure, can you really picture george without fred??? it's sad, i'm sure he doesnt feel whole any more, and for the record... what does it matter if dumbledore is gay? he's still one bad ass mother dude, he was by far the most powerful wizard of all time, and i think that should be taken into account before his sexuality...thank you.

Harriet_Lily_Snape: saying "daddy hit you too much as a child" is one of the most disgusting things I've ever heard said. You should be severely ashamed of yourself.

ctigers12 --- I hope so. And it's a Master's Thesis on "Tolerance and Anti-Tolerance." I'm going to use the reaction to this story in the paper. I find it quite interesting. These comments have gone too far, and as the adult here, I would like to suggest that we should just all agree to disagree and talk about the things we do love in the story. Like Snape (Isn't he the hottest guy ever?! lol)

I agree! Well said Catie! As well as another actor who portrayed another beloved wizard....Sir Ian McKellan as Gandalf. Hmm....

Well to be honest, I don't have any idea considering that gays, as much as possible, are kinda "ignored" in stories as if they do not exist in this world. In commercials, there is always only boy/ girl thing.... ahaha well, at least a series as popular as these has a gay person who is great and mighty is something to consider!! I love you JK!!! and Dumby??? welcome to the family!!!! ahahahah

I guess this gives the "I saw him doing things with a wand I'd never seen before" a whole new sense, doesn't it? I can't wait to hear the Mugglecasters' opinions.mAnd I was wondering whether Neville had married.

yep, ctigers, I was going to mention him, because I think he was under consideration to take on the role of Dumbledore, but I wasn't sure and didn't feel like looking it up.

Harriet_Lily_Snape, as the "adult" in this discussion, I expect you to stay on-topic. While Snape, according to you, may be the "hottest guy ever", he is not mentioned in this report.

By the way, I was kidding about the wand thing. I just had to get that bad joke out. Sorry if it offends anybody.

Harriet_Lily_Snape: "as the adult here..." ?? You make it sound like we are all childish and inmature for wanting to defend our point of view and trying to get a message across that this kind of bigotry should not be taken lightly, because even though it is in reference to a fictional character, it is nevertheless a very real issue in today's society.

Harriet_Lily_Snape: are you really calling yourself the adult here? The last time I checked, adults (or at least mature and responsible ones) didn't go around telling children (which you must think you're doing if you are THE adult here) things like "The only thing your little mind can come up with as a retort is violence. Daddy hit you too much as a baby. Grow up Jr. Telling people to jump off cliffs is just retarded. You are embarrassing yourself. Maybe you should try and go outside and walk around. The fresh air might do you some good. You apparently spend too much time reading fantasy and living in a fantasy world...I pity you." Also, in case your adult brain failed to notice, telling someone "daddy hit you too much as a baby" is a violent response. Also, using the word "retarded" as an insult, is quite an ignorant thing to do, seeing as many people in this world suffer from various forms of mental handicaps, and I would really expect more from an adult.

That's great that he's gay. Because that means that he wasn't completely in agreement with what Grindelwald was doing, he just liked him and that caused him to make some bad decisions. So that's cool. :) Haha next thing you know the outraged fans will be making a site called DumbledoreIsNotGay.com. :P

I understand why Jo couldn't discuss Dumbledore's sexuality in the novels; I can already hear the outraged parents condemning her for trying to turn their kids gay or something as ridiculous. Still, I wish that she had included it and stood up for her beliefs about homosexuality. I'm happy that she did come out with it (no pun intended) but it would have meant more if she had done it in the series.

I was thinking the same thing carpediem1991. It will be a very interesting mugglecast coming up. wait werent they going to talk to her today or something ! omg this is going to be legendary! Rock on Albus !

my god oliver wood is f*cking hot, did you guys know you cant type the worj f*ck??? mugglenet turns it into dude...haha watch....i meant to say bad ass mother f*cker and it turned it into one bad ass mother dude..haha

HPPhoenix07 --- That's not what I meant by that but I understand how you would take it that way. What I meant was, as being that I am 22, I think that this board is just full of hate. I think that it would be nice if everyone just said what they had to say and didn't attack anyone else for it. You all make it like people who rather not deal with Gays are bad. Well, people who don't believe in homosexuality think you are wrong. It's an ugly cycle that I don't think in the Mugglenet board is going to solve. Anyway, like I said before, this is just like politics. Republican against Democrats. Either side is going to get along.

I agree with you hamiltmt. I too wish she would have mentioned it in the story but after seeing the responses here, I understand why she didn't. It is sad that a fictional character's sexual preferences would be the deciding factor in whether or not to read one of the best book series there is. I am just sad over the countless children who will not get to enjoy these books know that she has stated DD is gay because of their outraged parents.

Rather not deal with gays? That just seems silly to me, like saying "I'd rather not deal with Christians" or "I'd rather not deal with Guatemalans".

i wish i was a wizard, that would be flippin' sweet.....

Harriet_Lily_Snape, shame on you. Have you no soul, my friend?! Your previous comments, whether they be for educational purposes or not, have hurt many posters. Not everyone wants to ignore the issue of homosexuality here. They see you stomping in here blasting your ignorance without heed to the emotions of those people, and they can not help but feel threatened.

Harriet_Lily_Snape: You have definitely gained some interesting bits for your thesis this evening. As another adult here, I mentioned the agree to disagree thing a while ago. That's how I was raised. Listen to other people's opinions, take them into account, but ultimately you have to decide what is right to you. Discussion is an integral part of any society, and those who aren't open to other people's views will continue to live in their environments, but may in fact miss out on some great things in life. Catie: I believe Sir Ian McKellan was approached to be Dumbledore, but said that he had already portrayed the superior wizard in Gandalf. I think I remember reading that a while ago.

This has totally made my night. I guess that it fits with everything we know about Dumbledore though. I had just dismissed his whimsical qualities as part of him being a silly but brilliant and extravegant old man who could get away with acting however he wants. This knowledge does make me prefer Richard Harris over Michael Gambon even more than before though. I think that I might have at one time guessed Neville and Hannah, but actually it might have been Amelia Bones that I picked for him.

HermioneIsMyHero27 --- Mentally handicap? That's way too politically correct for me. He was being a jerk. I'm allowed to attack back at the little dweeb. Catie --- Why do you assume that Christians are the only ones that don't believe in Homosexuality? The Chinese, the mass majority are Buddhist, Hindus, and many other types of religions don't believe in it either.

Um...The Dumbledore thing...that kind of sickens me...what the heck...

Sir Ian McKellan was approached for the part of DD but turned it down. I loved Harris as DD but I can't stand Micheal Gambon in the part. After Harris died, they should have approached McKellan again and begged until he agreed to it lol.

To many young guys are put off by this. So much socialization ingrains homosexuality as a weakness in men. This will conflict with the image they have already developed of Dumbledore as a Hero. A look at history shows that there have been plenty of gay heroes and villains. If one is bothered by the idea of Albus being gay I think that he should really reflect on where the discomfort is coming from. On another note, I’m glad that the issue is never brought up in the books as it surely would have been a distraction for so many people.

Harriet_Lily_Snape, I wasn't saying that Christians are the only ones that don't believe in homosexuality. I know many hasidic Jews that don't, either. I was trying to demonstrate how your comment of 'not wanting to deal with gays' seemed silly to me. That was why I included Guatemalans in there. I don't imagine they're any more or less tolerant of homosexuality than say, Peruvians or South Africans. I was saying that I shouldn't 'not want to deal' with any group of people, because if they exist, I'll have to 'deal' with them.

ian mckellen is in EVERYTHING i'm kind of happy he's not dumbledore, i think it would take anyway from dumbledore's character....ian mckellen makes a wonderful gandolff though...

Quite honestly, I think JKR made that up on the spot. I don't think she planned Dumbledore to be gay, but somebody must've pointed out to her that there were no gay characters, so she just came up with that.

Harriet_Lily_Snape: I'm not saying you should insult him using the politically correct term "Mentally handicapped." I'm saying you shouldn't use that term or the term "retarded" as an insult, because that is demeaning to every mentally handicapped person and every person who knows someone who is mentally handicapped. I'm not saying you're not allowed to attack back, but you shouldn't use a term that offends an entire group of people (funny, as someone who seems appalled at the level of ignorance and intolerance exhibited in this thread, why would you choose to use an ignorant and intolerant insult?) For someone writing a paper on Tolerance vs. Intolerance, you certainly seem to hold some intolerances yourself.

I just want to say I am from the southeast, and i could not dissagree with "terrible" more. I have quite a few gay friends and i know they are who they are. this dose not make Dumbledor any better or worse it is just a part of who he is. Not everyone in the south is a biggot and i just wanted to make that abunently clear. oh and about the bible i do read it and I choose not to cast stones. i belive that i should love everyone untill that person gives me a reason not to.