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r+h4ever1 · #1 (**permalink**) 10-23-2007, 05:13 PM

In a press conference that took place this morning in Toronto, J.K. Rowling spoke of the Hogwarts Headmaster when repeatedly asked about Dumbledore's sexuality by reporters.

The Star reports on more of the author's words on the subject:

Quote:

J.K. Rowling says her out-of-the-blue revelation about the sexual orientation of Albus Dumbledore, one of the key characters in her blockbuster "Harry Potter" series, has prompted at least one fan to come out of the closet.

"I know that it was a positive thing that I said it, for at least one person, because one man 'came out' at Carnegie Hall," Rowling told a news conference Tuesday at the International Festival of Authors. "I'm not kidding."

She also responds to those wondering about her timing of the revelation:

Quote:

"I was asked a very direct question at Carnegie Hall."

She also stated:

Quote:

"The plot is what it is," said Rowling. "(Dumbledore) did have, as I say, this rather tragic infatuation, but that was a key part of the ending of the story so there it is. Why would I put the key part of my ending of my story in Book 1?"

Rowling said Tuesday she found it "freeing" to out Dumbledore, adding that the passages about him will mean different things to different readers.

"I think a child will see a friendship and I think a sensitive adult may well understand that it was an infatuation," she said.

Reuters also has more on JKR's statements.

Quote:

"It has certainly never been news to me that a brave and brilliant man could love other men," Rowling told a news conference in Toronto, where she is attending an authors' festival.

Quote:

"He is my character. He is what he is and I have the right to say what I say about him."

"People wanted so much information in advance of the story, that just to keep my sanity and keep my eye on my own plot, I did not give masses away ahead of time."

Jo also refused to rule out the possibility of a Potter prequel and talked more about her future Potter encyclopaedia.

Quote:

Rowling said she "probably won't" write a prequel to the series, but did not rule it out.

"Is that (a prequel) not a little bit 'Star Wars Episode I'?" she quipped. "I'm not going to say 'never' because 'never' in my life acts as a red rag to bull and I've immediately wanted to do whatever it is I said never to."

Quote:

"It's like the break-up of a marriage. It's a good idea not to see each other for a while, then maybe you can be good friends afterwards," she said.

As some were reminded yesterday, this is not a chat thread. Be respectful and appropriate. This thread is also being monitored.

Thanks to TLC for the update!

UPDATE: Thanks to UHP pictures of Jo at the Toronto press conference & book tour event can be seen here.

A video from the press conference can be seen here.

rellybelly · 10-23-2007, 05:28 PM

Thanks Shannon for the update but the video has expired!

WOHHOOOO! First to comment!

jrtpuplvr · 10-23-2007, 05:39 PM

I also get the "Sorry, this video has expired." message.

I agree with Jo...he is her charrie and she can make him how ever she wants.

The Old Toad · 10-23-2007, 05:46 PM

YAYS FOR JO!!!

Let's give Laura Mallory something to bring to the State.

**LittleMissChriss** · 10-23-2007, 05:48 PM

Ithink this has been blown way out of proportion.

Kazters · 10-23-2007, 06:17 PM

i dont understand the reaction of some people!

so much for tolerant society!

is jos charactor and if that is how sh wrote him then thats how he is!

The Old Toad · 10-23-2007, 06:21 PM

I think this has been blown a little out of porportion. Not a lot. Its a big deal, so people are going to talk about it. I mean have you heard of a more tragic love story?

Padie · 10-23-2007, 07:15 PM

I dunno why some people are acting like if she destroyed the character or something *shruggs* I think it's rather interesting in a way.. Explains a lot about Dumbledore's behaviour to me

dancerbookl · 10-23-2007, 08:39 PM

The vedio isn't working

Hermionespell · 10-23-2007, 09:02 PM

Quote:

"He is my character. He is what he is and I have the right to say what I say about him."

I'm glad that she's said that. People should accept that Albus Dumbledore was gay. Personally, I think it does add another level of meaning to the story.

hrmy_lvr_4evr · 10-23-2007, 09:40 PM

Know what? I think this whole thing has really been blown out of proportion.

Oh, someone's already said that. Well, I agree with Christhiane.

argentinaz_angel · 10-23-2007, 10:17 PM

I would've been there this morning!!! OMG every teacher and every friend that knows im a big HP fan has mentioned this to me at least once xD i find it ridiculous that people are so freaked out over it!

griffin_girl · 10-23-2007, 10:27 PM

Quote:

"He is my character. He is what he is and I have the right to say what I say about him."

Agreed! DD is Jo's character and she can make him whatever she wants him to be...people aren't being realistic and I really admire Jo for connecting fiction to reality..

tomfeltonsgf · 10-23-2007, 11:12 PM

Thinking back, the clues that Dumbeldore was gay were definately there. It actually explains alot, and it adds another layer to his already complex character. Jo has the right to decide what her characters are like, and personally I don't see what the big problem is. I actually remember thinking it was kind of weird that it seemed like every single person at Hogwarts was straight.

prettyinpink · 10-23-2007, 11:19 PM

how interesting..

r+h4ever1 · 10-23-2007, 11:39 PM

She is so smart. It is her character. No matter who objects, she's not going to take it back and say "just kidding."

Also, I withdraw my comment regarding her timing. She was asked a specific question. Had she not been asked it, maybe we would never find out. Unless she was saving it for the Encyclopedia.

Either way, it happened. And it's her right, as the author, to do what she likes with the character.

Shannon

accio.brain · 10-23-2007, 11:56 PM

Dumbledore is her character. She can do whatever she wants with them.

cutiepie0319 · 10-24-2007, 12:33 AM

i don't see the big deal that people are making about Dumbledore being gay. people who don't like it are like i knew the books were gay. but seriously i don't see what the big deal is. let Dumbledore be Dumbledore

EmmaRiddle · 10-24-2007, 12:44 AM

I keep thinking it's impossible to love her more than I already do...and then she goes and totally proves me wrong. My love for her knows no bounds.

ruperts_babe · 10-24-2007, 12:59 AM

I agree, this has been blown totally out of proportion. Like JK said, she is the writer. This is her story, therefore she has the right to decide what each character entales. I think it was very brave of her to "out" Dumbledore as they say, because of course this has caused outrage among Christians who don't believe in what JK writes as well as people thinking that it is a publicity stunt. No way would this be a publicity stunt, she has come out revealing many more unknown plot lines such as Neville and Hannah Abbot and about her marrying Harry - it is only because homosexuality is still quite a taboo topic that this created such a stir, which I still firmly believe it shouldn't have. I don't understand why some parents now, because of this revelation, are not allowing their children to read the books anymore - totally blown up.

Mikaela · 10-24-2007, 01:09 AM

Quote:

Rowling said she "probably won't" write a prequel to the series, but did not rule it out.

"Is that (a prequel) not a little bit 'Star Wars Episode I'?" she quipped. "I'm not going to say 'never' because 'never' in my life acts as a red rag to bull and I've immediately wanted to do whatever it is I said never to."

We'll keep hope alive!

Also, she's right about passages meaning different things to different people... Snape fans and rabid shippers, anyone? :eyebrow:

EmmaRiddle · 10-24-2007, 01:12 AM

A publicity stunt requires planning; the question was posed to her by a fan at a book event. Any insinuation that it was orchestrated is frankly ludicrous. It's funny, Jo talked more about Aberforth's relationship with his goats yet no-one (in the media anyway) seems to have picked up on that. Goes to show that agenda setting & framing still exist.

ruperts_babe · 10-24-2007, 01:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EmmaRiddle

A publicity stunt requires planning; the question was posed to her by a fan at a book event. Any insinuation that it was orchestrated is frankly ludicrous. It's funny, Jo talked more about Aberforth's relationship with his goats yet no-one (in the media anyway) seems to have picked up on that. Goes to show that agenda setting & framing still exist.

Hear hear! That is really clever about Aberforth though, never ever thought about it twice. It is only because she has included homosexuality that it has created the stir it has, quite silly really.