Wow, this message board is full of retards. Honestly, if you're going to let 1 piece of apparently 'useless' information ruin the whole series for you, then I fear for humanity. You would all still love HP and Dumbledore had J.K. Rowling not said anything, and he would STILL be gay. Those who are saying that homosexuality is wrong, then does that make loving red-haired people wrong if you're asian? Or wrong to love people taller than 175cm if you have blue eyes? Because that is what this will turn into if we let this narrow-minded view continue. Love is love, no matter who you feel it towards. Dumbledore is still the greatest wizard who ever lived, despite the fact that he did not ever feel attracted to certain people (aka women, to those who did not understand me. To be honest, if you did not get that, you probably shouldn't be here anyway.) To those people who now view Dumbledore differnetly in a bad way, or the same with the series, then you clearly missed one of the key points to the HP series: It is not fair to judge people badly for their differences (like Slytherin's judging people for their blood. Surely you all feel for a character who is half-blood, muggleborn, or half-breed, and yet you are descriminating against people in the very same way they are descriminated against in the story) I am severly disappointed in these people. I myself am Christian and yet I full-heartedly support gay, lesbian, bisexual AND heterosexual people. We are all people, and we all love. Get used to it. Lucia_Swanne xx

TimmaWilson, I agree! Jo's amazing and gutsy, such a Gryffindor. ;) ----- Seriously, all the parents out there who think this is horrible of Jo to expose to children, how is it horrible? You can't think it bad and still respect homosexuals. If you truly respected homosexuals and were open minded, this would be a GOOD LESSON to show your children, that these things DO NOT MATTER. Race, religion, eye colour, hair colour, skin colour, sexual orientation -- DOESN'T MAKE A DIFFERENCE to the person we truly are. Dumbledore believe in equality and seeing people for their CHOICES. Homosexuality is not a choice, it is nature, and people who choose to accept them in society are the open minded, Dumbledore-figures of today. If you don't think it's a good thing for your children to be exposed to the idea of homosexuality, why not pull a Laura Mallory and ban the books, eh? It's no different than closing off the books to your children because of witchcraft. I almost feel like I'm back in the days of witchburnings. This is ridiculous. I almost forgot how controversial sexual orientation was, but this was a real eye-opener. The way Jo let us know about her view was very telling - she didn't involve it into the plot because it wouldn't have affected anything. She told us afterwards as an interesting fact. Again, I think even more highly of Jo after this. She showed great nerve in stating it firmly in a time of horrible prejudice, and I praise her for it. :)

You know honestly, I really love the fact that Dumbledore was gay because he was not stereotypically gay xD. It's pretty much a big smack in the face to bigots and homophobes, the best old man ever is gay haha. But yeah that was a pretty bold move of JK to actually release that info. But sadly, reading through these comments made me lose faith in humanity. Flat fact is, if you say homosexuality is a choice, immoral, gross, or any combo on the 3 you're intolerant. There's no way around it, and in case anyway says I'm intolerant of an opinion...I am. I'm intolerant or hateful, moronic, and unproven ideas that serve no purpose other than to make an ass of oneself. Also, interesting fact of the day that one of my teachers brought up today. He told us nowhere in the bible does it specifically say homosexuality is wrong, I could have sworn I saw some guy's look confused or shocked xD.

ClashCalamity, your teacher was wrong, just look at Soddom and Gamorrah.

Alright, call me intolerant then. Saying that homosexuality is a sin does not mean that you are hateful. As a Christian, I don't want to see anyone separated from God. Sin separates us. I mean, do I sound to you like I'm just out to hurt gay people? I'm not. And homophobic means that you are afraid of gay people and I'm not that either. And to just assume that I hate Albus is wrong too. I love almost all of Rowling's characters. Leviticus18: 22 is just one of the verses in the Bible. Your teacher was wrong.

Saying that because someone is gay makes them bad, worthless, or anything at all is like saying being mudblood makes you bad, worthless, or anything at all. If you read the books, if you agreed with harry, ron, and hermione, then this really shouldn't matter at all.

Omg....!!! We would have never known! Thanks a lot Jo for hitting us with that anvil-sized info..... My best friend texted me about this so I came here for confirmation and OMG!!!! And hey, keep an open mind guys. This is reality. Good Lord, pray for all the new fanfics....... 0_o

I didn't say gay people are bad or worthless.

Genesis 19:4-7 "But before they lay down, the men of the city, even the men of Sodom, compassed the house round, both young and old,all the people of every quarter: And they called unto Lot, and said unto him, 'Where are the men which came in to thee this night? Bring them out unto us that we may know* them.' And Lot went out at the door unto them, and shut the door after him, and said, I pray you, brethren,do not so wickedly." The city is soon destroyed by the Lord for its wickedness. *'Know' is used both in Hebrew and English in this kind of context as a euphemism in place of a sexual word.

Johny_Reb, ok? The bible also says you should brutally punish children for disobeying, I don't think anyone is going to agree with that though.

Woah!!!!! That news is unexpected! I kinda agree i'm not sure its an issue Jo should bring up, with her books already considered contraversial enough. Anyway, i'm still slightly suprised... i'll wait till it sinks in!

Wrong Johnny. Soddom and Gamorrah were destroyed not because the people were homosexual. It was because they committed homosexual acts. And even then, it was only considered wrong because 1. it was outside of marriage and 2. it could not produce a child. Nowhere directly in the bible does it outright say "Homosexuality is a sin." It might say homosexual acts, but that's not the same thing as being gay. My teacher was not wrong. Also homophobia is not only used to refer to fear of homosexuals. It also refers to aversion and discrimination against homosexuals. I really doubt God and Jesus would really care much if two men loved each other anyway. Why would they deserve to be punished for being gay? It's not like they killed anyone, they did not do something horrid. And even if you aren't out to hurt gay people, saying homosexuality is a sin still hateful. A sin is something bad and harmful, being gay never hurt anyone. You're basically saying it's wrong to be gay, you're passing judgement unfairly on a group of people who have done nothing wrong. That's pretty hateful.

Oh, come on. Sexuality--everybody's got it, and it's not as black and white as some things in life, despite what your little handbook may tell you. Does the fact that Dumbledore didn't dig chicks (or birds, for you Brits) change the story at all? Does the fact that Neville DOES change the story? No, it doesn't. Because sexuality is not important. It dies when you die, while the effect you had on the world does not. ---For the record, and for my own sanity, I'd like to just state that by the time I die, I will be sick to death of religion and religious talk to the point of vomiting. I'm already halfway there. Still love JKR's work, though.

I find it very funny how so many people were excited about the Encylopedia to get the backround info on the series but now that they got some info they don't like they want her to stop "adding stuff" or "making stuff up". I was in the audience and her answer was very honest. She answered it because someone asked no just to create publicity.

Go Dumbledore! Seriously, for all you people that are so riled up about this: GET A LIFE!!! Dumbledore's being gay does not change how great he was as a wizard, or his achievements. I personally know quite a few gay people (my best friend, for one), and I find them to be quite as wonderful as straight people. Kudos to Jo for making such a multilayered, tolerant universe.

Here Here, diasphora. I do think the intentional message of religions (be good, treat everyone kindly, generally be a good person) is wonderful. And yet it unfortunately gets twisted into hateful ammo for bigots to attack people with. Also, this is not directed at anyone in this comment thread, this is a general statement I'm making based on people in my own school and community.

ok first of i love this new fact and i love jo, and secondly, Johny_Reb, I have studied the bibel for 10 years and in there a man going to a male whore is a lesser sin then a man going to a female one. there is nothing against gays in the bible king david was eiither gay or bi. religion people being sometimes more narrow minded decided that god is against homosexsuality. if you thought that that was why sdom and amorah(sorry thats what they are called in my language) were destroyed because of that you are either a)an idiot b)have a very bad teacher or c)not the sad owner of a bible(im so happy for you!)

*Isn't going to take a side on this subject* I just wanted to point something out and let people connect the dots here: If you go a few posts down, JKR says that she feels Dumbledore was a 'Machiavellian figure'... Positive or negative for gays? You decide.

Gender determination, next chapter: Lord Voldemort's Loneliness- an Expression of Supremacy, or Sexuality?

Well, I think it pretty safe to say that homosexuality never produces a child. So, in that context, homosexual acts are always a sin and marriage is not even the issue. So, what are you trying to defend? Gay people that don't practice it? Either way, I am not discriminating. I don't treat gay people badly because they are gay. However, if the topic comes up, like it OBVIOUSLY came up here, I am not going to hide my values. Saying 'if two men loved each other' is confusing, because love really has nothing to do with sex. Love is the willingness to sacrifice for the other person. Yes, I'm saying it is wrong to be gay. It's also wrong to lie, to murder, to have sex outside of marriage. Does that mean that I want to beat up liars? No. But it is still sin. Its not about what I say, it's what God says. To call me hateful for my beliefs when I allign myself with God's Word is to call God hateful. God is just.

To all the haters out there, to all the homophobes, to all the intolerant, insensitive, outrageous, hurtful people who say or think that being homosexual or anything that isn't totally heterosexual, let's get a few things straight here: To those who say that "The Bible says being gay is wrong" or that being Christian means that "homosexuality is a sin" are not only delusional, prejudice, insensitive and insolent....But they are actually so called "following" something that isn't part of Christianity or The Bible. In The Bible, it says that sex before married is WRONG, and that God is against those who do so....But today, do people who are devote CHRISTIANS have sex before marriage?? YES! Everyone does, but do they look upon each other as SINNERS or bad people? NO! Overtime, the words of The Bible have gone from LAW and become more of an INFLUENCE in society; to say that being gay is wrong is hypocritical and wrong in itself, and being a homosexual is now no more part of "sin" than having sex before marriage which happens constantly every minute of the day. Also, to those uneducated minority of society who think or have lack of knowledge thereof, people who are gay, lesbian, bisexual etc. do not have a CHOICE to be so. They do not suddenly wake up one day and say to the world: "You know what? I'm going to be GAY today!".... Funnily enough, it doesn't just HAPPEN or DEVELOP, like heterosexuality, it starts from the moment you are born and NOTHING anyone does can change the way you are inside, end of story. To insult or offend people for something they have no power over, no choice over, no say or opinion or personal decision over, is the harshest, most horrible and most destructively hatefilled thing anyone on this world can do to a human being. If anyone out there has anything against innocent human beings who are homosexuals, look inside yourself and at least have the tiniest amount of heart to let them live a life free from your unjust abuse and slander.

No way. She didn't actually say that?

Abuse! Slander? First of all, please keep your accusations to one per sentence. It is not delusional. Prejudice is judging someone before you know them. I am not judging anybody. God will judge people for what they do. I don't have to decide who is guilty of what. I think I am being rather sensitive; you seem to be the one calling me a hater and mocking what you see as Christians. I am not condoning sex outside of marriage. I am not saying that it is okay. And you are expecting me to judge the people that have sex outside of marriage, but not homosexual acts: I don't judge either! By the way, gay people aren't born gay. We aren't born anyhting. I wasn't born with the desire to have sex. And I also don't wake up one day and say, gee, the weather is perfect for me being heterosexual, either. Puberty happens. Trust me, I don't have gay people locked in my basement, and as far as I know, that didn't take any heart at all.

Thanks, ClashCalamity. Might I add that I'm for goodness, justice, and love as much as any Christian. I just wish humanity could find it in itself to be all those things without the threat of fire and brimstone to keep it on the straight and narrow. The fact remains that people are, for the most part, not shining examples of strength and courage. Most people aren't strong enough to stray off the beaten path by indulging in a little critical thinking and disagreeing with their peers. They don't like uncomfortable situations, harsh words, or questions. In effect, the more groups you can say you hate or disagree with, the more of a social safety net you have--ironically. And let's thank religion (sorry, I can't get rid of that bias) for giving people an excuse to condemn a human condition like sexuality with a spiritual set of words. Say hello to circular logic and goodbye to common sense. Then again, did mankind ever possess the latter? Hah!

seriously? I don't think it's a big deal. I mean, I was surprised, but it explains alot. I don't see why it's a big deal. Dumbledore is still my favorite character. This doesn't change anything. The fan fic....yeah it'll be crazy,but I hardly read it anyway so...I think Jo isn't just wanting more attention (believe me I think she has enough!) she said she ALWAYS thought of him as gay. And it's not like we ever saw any sexual inuendo going on with ANYONE in the entire series. It's not a scandal. Dumbledore is a good man, not some gross petifile.

Thanks for bringing it back to Albus, this was getting a little too serious for Mugglenet. Man, it's almost 5am here. I have to wait until about 8 to tell my cousin Wade. We grew up together sharing Harry Potter, Pendragon, and Animorph theories. He is not going to believe me. Unless he already knows.

yeah this whole scripture reference should go to forums not on the comments page. I'm christian and yeah....seriously guys...no time for debating. As said in many other comments. Isn't one of the themes in the series tolerance? Muggles and Wizards? Death Eaters and mudbloods? Does it matter? I don't believe personally in homosexuality but I have a friend who believes in it. but that doesn't change the way the world goes round. If it floats your boat, cool. More power to ya. :)

Whatever, I have stuff to respond to that with, but..... Lovely weather we've been having, eh? I must have a spoiler wish or something. I still haven't read that seventh book.

Alienate fans? Erm i don't think so. This is the cutest thing since Ron and Hermione's kiss. Bless him. If anything this is giving more to the fans? Just think of the fanfiction...

abi im with you plus there is nothing not to BELIEVE in homesexsuality its just there. deal with it. albusmademecry IF YOU HAVENT READ THE BOOK YET WHAT THE F@#$ ARE YOU DOING HERE!?

this isn't a discussion about the seventh book. It's a discussion about someone that dies in a previous book. And I don't appreciate your attitude.

Ok... This is why I think it was a bad idea for JKR to bring up this topic of sex and stuff is because now we have tons of HP fans fighting and its never going to be resolved.. We are all gonna keep cutting at eachothers throats with are opionions it just won't end... I think its better that all Hp fans just should have fun discussing there dilikes and interest with the series not about sex and stuff like that...It just seems useless.. I miss the good old days when harry was a child and dumbldore was person who has no mysterys we knew about... and the movies omg! I miss the first movies with the first dumbledore instead of this new guy... Im actually watching the first movie.. I think it is beyond amazing... I miss the old days so much... When harry thought Snape was always bad and the one behind everything, and hermiones shaggy hair lol... and the classes amazing stuff... and HAgrid always telling the trio stuff he shouldn;t lol.... and the uniforms not normal cloths lol HA ....

Well Quiscalus (and kudos to you for not taking sides), let's put it this way. Draco Malfoy was a schithead. Positive or negative for heteros?

I know! I never wanted to have a sexual argument about Harry Potter! I loved it when I was a few minutes from turning eleven and I was waiting for Hagrid to burst into my room! haha! I want my Harry Potter and the Sorceror's Stone innocence back!

holy crap!!! i didnt see that one coming!!!

holy crap!!! i didnt see that one coming!!!

albusmademecry i agree i miss the moments i loved most... like neville acting brave ,but truley he was and is brave lol.. omg and quidditch what and awesome sport and harry figuring out his dad was a qudditch player to it was amazing stuff..now it getting into politics and sex its not right.. Harry Potter is way more then that ****.. HAHA HAgrid lol...,Im A Christian and im proud... but i already had tons of arugments about dumbldore on gaiaonline and i was argueing for hours its just doesn;t change anything. People have their opionion and we have ours.. I still see dumbledore straight sorry the books stopped and i stopped with them....HP is over so all this other stuff is just stuff that i don't even think is anything to do with the books ...

albusmademecry i agree i miss the moments i loved most... like neville acting brave ,but truley he was and is brave lol.. omg and quidditch what and awesome sport and harry figuring out his dad was a qudditch player to it was amazing stuff..now it getting into politics and sex its not right.. Harry Potter is way more then that ****.. HAHA HAgrid lol...,Im A Christian and im proud... but i already had tons of arugments about dumbldore on gaiaonline and i was argueing for hours its just doesn;t change anything. People have their opionion and we have ours.. I still see dumbledore straight sorry the books stopped and i stopped with them....HP is over so all this other stuff is just stuff that i don't even think is anything to do with the books ...

dude im soo disappointed i wanted neville to marry LUNA LOVEGOOD why the hell would she go and marry him to Abbott hannah??????????!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!! and it feels so weird knowing that dumbledore is gay !!!!!!!!!! is mcgonagal a lesbian now?? seriously its weird :/

Dumbledore is gay? *dies*

lol azexan your hilarous.... OMG ron just fell of the horse from wizarding chess the life size one in SS/PS awe poor ron..you all should be watching this on Disney channel...lol I know Luna and Neville perfect lol where did this Hannah thing come from lol... but i said before the books stopped i stopped so i really don't see neville married at this moment in time lol, Quirrel scary guy lol! ha i never exspected him to be bad lol....

You have allowed me to 'fix' this deal. I have always thought of Albus as straight. I still do. J.K. Rowling didn't mention it in the series, so teeeeechnically I can ignore it because it isn't a part of the book. I'm sorry if everyone thinks that that is absolutely horrible, but whatever. I love Albus. And he is going to remain hetero in my mind. My drum teacher told me that the newest Harry Potter movie is very dark, and I was debating going to see it. Have you seen it? I've also been debating even reading the last book because I am not sure I should. But, believe me, no one loves Harry Potter like I do, so this is killing me. Can I hear some Christian feedback about the book? Oh, and nitwit, blubber, and tweak!

Diasphora, Dumbledore is the only gay character that we know of. That was the point I was trying to make with my previous post...

What the heck?! I don't have #1 on the Disney Channel! Stupid Lilo and Stitch is on. What a rip!

MissMalfoy - HILAOROUS I CAN"T STOP LAUGHING! albusmademec ry- I seen the movie, its not extremely dark.. actually it really isn't at all you should really go check it out..you would enjoy it...Oh the book read it don't worry you won't be dissipointed.. OMG im watching the first movie as i said before and im at the scenes with dumbledore and harry in the infirmary close to the end... I miss that dumbledore he was just much more dumbledore to me idk why.. maybe its the way he talks or the way he makes them corny jokes.. i just don't see that in the dumbledore in the last few movies.. ya know... omg he ate the jelly bean lol it was earwax flavor lol i miss the old dumbledore ( not meaning before this gay thing i mean before 4th movie).. *tears* lol this movie reminds me of my childhood ... Im actually in a great mood now thanks all.. :)

I love filch when he goes: Oooo dear We are in trouble! in that voice of his in the movie. Either the second or the first. My older brother and I always used to say that to each other in that voice....Before we grew up and he denounced reading, ever. Man I miss my innocence!

Ok he was in love with Grinwald..... HE killed D'S sister.... I seriously doubt that they were ever intimate after that (EVEN IF THYE EVER WHERE). And after all he went north and killed lots of good people and then finally D went and defeated him, locked him in prison (in 1945). OK, I seriously doubt D ever loved anyone else or was intimate with anyone else..... who cares.... I think it is silly that she even threw it out to the masses..... I am sure that his libido waned prior to Harry being born. after all he blushes when Poppy compliments him...at 145 years old (or so) lets move on. thanks

OMG the Great Hall scene housepoints.... omg the corny hats lol the studenst are all wearing...Gryffindor Wins The House Cup! awe.. Neville it takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to your enemys but much more greater bravery to stand up to your friends 10 pts to gryffindor ... YAYAYAYAY! gryffindor wins the house cup WOOT WOOT! I LOVE THIS MOVIE! aww hagrid gives jim the picture book of him and his parents awe *teary eye moment* Hagrid telling harry he can mess with dudley lol and Harry saying he really isn;t going home meaning Hogwarts is his true home... the music is amazing.. this is why im an Hp fan ....

lalalalalalalalaala I can't hear you. Intimate is not a word I will eve associate with Dumbledore and Grindelwald. Nope. Not doing it. I am keeping this simple. Dumbledore is asexual. lalalalalalalal alala

albusmademecry you are hilarous... i wanna lalala too ha...