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Post by Pureblood on Oct 20, 2007 8:19:29 GMT -5
 I KNEW it. Dumbie and Gellert forever!!!! (The following comes from the yahoo news site) NEW YORK - Harry Potter fans, the rumors are true: Albus Dumbledore, master wizard and Headmaster of Hogwarts, is gay. J.K. Rowling, author of the mega-selling fantasy series that ended last summer, outed the beloved character Friday night while appearing before a full house at Carnegie Hall. She was asked by one young fan whether Dumbledore finds "true love." "Dumbledore is gay," the author responded to gasps and applause. She then explained that Dumbledore was smitten with rival Gellert Grindelwald, whom he defeated long ago in a battle between good and bad wizards. "Falling in love can blind us to an extent," Rowling said of Dumbledore's feelings, adding that Dumbledore was "horribly, terribly let down." Dumbledore's love, she observed, was his "great tragedy." "Oh, my god," Rowling concluded with a laugh, "the fan fiction." Potter readers on fan sites and elsewhere on the Internet have speculated on the sexuality of Dumbledore, noting that he has no close relationship with women and a mysterious, troubled past. And explicit scenes with Dumbledore already have appeared in fan fiction. Rowling told the audience that while working on the planned sixth Potter film, "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince," she spotted a reference in the script to a girl who once was of interest to Dumbledore. A note was duly passed to director David Yates, revealing the truth about her character. Rowling, finishing a brief "Open Book Tour" of the United States, her first tour here since 2000, also said that she regarded her Potter books as a "prolonged argument for tolerance" and urged her fans to "question authority." Not everyone likes her work, Rowling said, likely referring to Christian groups that have alleged the books promote witchcraft. Her news about Dumbledore, she said, will give them one more reason.
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Post by Quidditch Queen on Oct 22, 2007 14:00:25 GMT -5
I am about to burst into tears at this very moment. I swear. Here they come.... WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY?  !!!!!!!!    ~*~*~*~*MODIFIED POST*~*~*~*~ Yes, I am upset about this. I wish it wasn't so. I'd rather that Grindewald and Dumbledore were best friends, although I admit I THINK I understand J.K.'s reasons. I THINK. I guess it sort of explains some of Dumbledore that we just took for granted before? I'm not going to try to dissect it right now, though. I got really angry about this before. I said some things that were realy thoughtless and cruel, just out of anger. But at this point, I'm kind of resigned to it. Yes, I am still disappointed and a little sad that it had to be this way, simply because homosexuality isn't exactly a lifestyle I approve of. It wasn't something I really expected, I guess, although the clues were all over the place. I don't have anything against people who say they are homosexual. I really, really don't. It's just not a lifestyle that I would have chosen for myself (or Dumbledore, if it had been my option). But as it wasn't, I have to accept it. He's still Dumbledore, and we love him for it. |
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Post by Barbara on Oct 23, 2007 5:33:20 GMT -5
Everyone will have their own thoughts on this and I respect what you have said Quidditch Queen, but it does take all sorts to make up the world and a lot of people are gay(I find nothing wrong with it)but I must say I think JK was very wrong in saying anything about it now as she never alluded to it in the books and why spoil what her readers have thought about Dumbledore. I personal think its just a little bit of attention grabing as she has finished the series of Harry Potter now and will fade into obscurity if she does'nt write anything else as exciting. Like you said QQ we will never hate Dumbledore but perhaps now have different feelings about JK. Would never be angry with you!
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Post by Pureblood on Oct 25, 2007 7:24:25 GMT -5
QQ, I don't know where to begin to answer your post. You can disagree with what someone else thinks and does but why would you infere that because a person is gay that they couldn't be an "upright, clean role model"? To say that becasue of Dumbie's sexuality he is no longer worthy of your respect, is no longer a decent person, is distorted and could never be wonderful, and (according to Barbara) is spolit for people, is just insulting. What difference does it make to him? He still did all those wonderful things and was a warm hearted and wise person, was he not? I disagree with your views but would not assume to guess at your character because of it. I am gay and I am a teacher. Therefore, I must be distorted, sick and indecent, a bad role model for my pupils and only worthy of disrespect. I am horribly insulted and hurt... and disappointed it this community I found where I thought everyone was accepted as long as they had a love for H.P.
J.K refered to her books as a "prolonged argument for tolerance" obviously it is sorely needed and I find it ironic that someone can love and embrace the idea of tolerance in the abstract (mudbloods etc.) can't do it when the issues become real. Feel free to disagree with the gay lifestyle all you want, I have no problem with that, but please do not make judgements on the kind of person someone is or is not based on that. That is not yours to deceide.
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Post by Barbara on Oct 27, 2007 22:53:33 GMT -5
Dear pureblood I didn't mean that Dumbledore being gay has spoiled it for me I really don't mind at all. I mean't that as it wasn't talked about in the books that some people would perhaps find it hard to accept. I am sure you are not a bad role model for your student and I am very sorry if you thought I was being insulting and hurtful. I was actually disagreeing with QQ as I have no problem with gay people as far as I am concerned they are just like everyone else, we are all different. I take people as I find them no matter what religion or lifestyle they lead and would never judge. In my experience(i am 44) there are alot of very great role models out there that lead a different lifestyle good on them. Dumbledore being gay is fine my question was why talk about it now that the books are finished as I said attention grabing.
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Post by Pureblood on Oct 29, 2007 8:49:10 GMT -5
Dear Barbara, Sorry for taking your comments out of context. I was on the defensive when I read them, so as you can imagine it sounded different than the way they were meant. Thank you for your kind words, if the world was full of people like you who celebrated difference it would be a much better place (and yes, it was weird of Jo not to mention Dumbie's lifestyle in the book and just come out with it after, may be she thought she would get a bad backlash if she mentioned it. I know some people in the states think that her books are anti-Christian, and perhaps she thought that this would give them more ammo. Pity really.)
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Post by Quidditch Queen on Oct 29, 2007 14:08:30 GMT -5
Oh, I'm so sorry! I really am. I was just upset and I shouldn't have posted as angrily as I did. I seriously didn't mean to offend anyone, I should have been more careful (we all make mistakes, right?)
I wasn't trying to say that gay people are all bad at all! And I didn't mean to imply anything about your character at all, Pureblood, even though, because of my carelessness, it seemed like I was. My sincerest apologies.
I'm not going to apologize for my beliefs, but the way I reacted was juvenile and rude. I don't know if it's enough to get me off your Naughty list, but I am truly sorry.
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Post by nutz4hpotter6 on Oct 29, 2007 18:33:01 GMT -5
Okay I have one thing to say about this DD being gay. When I read the books I never thought about any of the characters sexuality. I never gave it a second thought as to whether DD was gay or straight. I don't think I will hate J K Rowling for saying what she said about DD. I don't know why she said it now but I guess it had something to do with a question she was asked. I will always love J K for her Harry Potter series. I will always love DD for who he is and what he brought to the series.
I have no problem with him being gay. I don't see how people can use this to say the books are evil. I was raised a Roman Catholic and went to a Catholic school from 4th grade on. I don't agree with everything I was taught during those years about religion. I have created my own opinions about what I feel is right or wrong. We have free will to chose what to believe in and practice what we want.
I feel that this is something that doesn't really need to be discussed because it will cause arguments and possibly hurt feelings.
I am sorry if I have offended anyone or upset people. I just needed to post my feelings about this. Thanks.
Monica
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Post by Quidditch Queen on Oct 30, 2007 11:38:26 GMT -5
Oh, you did a much better job at it than I did, nutz! I'm going to go back and modify my post, so I don't end up hurting anyone else (because it could very well happen).
I can be REALLY stupid when I'm angry...
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Post by Pureblood on Oct 30, 2007 12:37:48 GMT -5
Thanks QQ!  I understand why you were shocked. I sometimes rant too when I'm upset and say things I shouldn't. All's forgotten! On a general note, homophobia is a horrible, horrible thing to have to deal with. People who never even had a conversation with you make all kinda of awful comments and judgements. We should all make an effort to be more aware of how our actions and words make others feel. To Monica, Of course ppl are free to accept or reject bit of, or all of, what they are taught. I only meant that for some groups that take all of the Bible literally, as opposed to metaphorically , the witchcraft element of Jo's book would contravene their believes, therefore, introducing a gay character is just giving them further proof that these book to not tally with their doctrine. |
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Post by Quidditch Queen on Oct 30, 2007 13:21:26 GMT -5
Oh, thank you! Glad we're all good! And I have definitely learned my lesson! I think people take the whole witchcraft thing to an unecessary level. Harry Potter is fiction (really awesome fiction, but still). No need to blow it wildly out of proportion and say that it's teaching kids witchcraft that doesn't even exist. you know what I mean? |
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Post by nutz4hpotter6 on Nov 3, 2007 16:48:01 GMT -5
I understand what you were saying Pureblood. I just don't agree with the 'religous groups' using it to try and make Harry Potter sound evil. I know there are groups that take the bible literally. I think any great written work needs to be looked at many different ways not just literally.
I understand what you mean QQ. I am also glad that we are all friends now too.
Pureblood I also like what you said about the homophobia. I went to art school for college and was surrounded my many gays and lesbians. They are just as nice, funny and great to be friends with just like the heterosexuals. I agree with you about how ppl make general assumptions without getting to know ppl who are different then them.
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I understand why you were shocked. I sometimes rant too when I'm upset and say things I shouldn't. All's forgotten!