In my opinion, she pulled a publicity stunt and now has to organize the mayhem created by it.

I've nothing against gays, one of my best friends being one, but that doesn't make it right.

But like EmmaRiddle said, how could she have pulled a publicity stunt when she was asked a question by a fan? The girl asked if Dumbledore was ever in love and so JK gave her answer. Remember that JK has stated that she has pages of character profiles on all the characters that are in her books, she I would believe that she had included this when she first started writing the profile of Dumbledore's character.

Well a lot of fundamentalists already hate HP, so this won't help much. It's not something that's totally obvious in the books, but I personally always thought he was gay. I totally expected this to be blown out of proportion; in fact it might only be the beginning of the hubbaloo. Can't wait to see how it turns out

That's my opinion....ummm...Poltergeist (missed yer screen name, sowwy!) To be honest, I kind of feel frightened for her...I wonder if she's ever read/seen Misery...knowing how rabid her fans are, I can only pray there's no sicko who's a few pence short of a pound who would think of going that route. Stranger things have happened, like the weirdo who killed himself for Bjork, videotaped it, then sent her a letter bomb of acid. I'm not sure if she fully appreciates the impact of those two tiny words.

A revelation about a beloved character doesn't change that fact that the books are brilliant. Plain and simple. They were before she said it, and they still are now, it makes no difference. It hasn't changed what is written on the page.

Good for Jo! I honestly have no problem at all with this whole thing. I love DD no matter if he's gay or straight. As far as I'm concerned sexuality isn't everything. Some of the nicest people I have ever known are gay; they are just like everyone else in every way except the sex they are attracted to. I like how Jo wasn't afraid to bring this issue out. She's a big advocate of acceptance and I really admire her for it.

When I hear about it, I said "No way!" But man, that came from out of the blue but right on! Gay or straight, Dumbledore RULES!!!

Good for Jo, stick up for what is hers, honestly... people should stop freaking out about this, it's no big deal.

Whether you agree with homosexuality or not, the reality is that some people are GAY! All JKR really did was write about a reality in our society. And my absolute favorite part of her response was this:

I think JKR has done a wonderful thing in opening up the eyes of young adults to the reality of life - that we are not defined by who we love, but simply by the fact THAT we love. Afterall, that is what Dumbledore stressed throughout the story - the ability to love. In my opinion, it shouldn't matter if Dumbledore is gay - his actions throughout the story are no less noble or meaningful or sincere.

And although she didn't claim this, I can't help but wonder if JKR waited to release this information til the end for an additional reason (beside giving away part of the plot too early, although I do think that is a valid and honest reason) - perhaps she wanted readers to admire and respect the character of Dumbledore as a man, without bias and judgment, so that when this information is revealed, those people who are less tolerant of homosexuality would see that being gay does not alter the worth of a person, and if they no longer like Dumbledore simply because of this revelation, they could see their hypocrisy and negativity.

Honestly, I don't see how that computes, unless Jo I dunno bribed the fan into asking about Dumbledore's love life. Which I highly doubt.

I think that it's great that she's outed Dumbledore! I think that it could possibly have a possitive affect on the gay community, might show them that theres nothing to be affraid of and that gay people can do great things Although he is still a fictional character.. but people are just so scared of homosexuality, I think Jo's done a good thing, makes the story more realistic, and like other people have said it explains a lot of Dumbledore's acts.

But it's like in the books anyway, there's a lot of prejudice and discrimination towards muggleborns and werewolves, gayness is just another aspect which happens to be in the real world.

WOOTT!!! Yea, people should totally respect gays more now! And im glad someone 'came out' that day, and i love jo for like...i dont know...jo seems to help everyone!! Thats why i really like harry potter, you know, you really get into it!!


and, yea...i also really really agree with PinkFish, like werewolves, muggleborns....and gays and stuff, all that, we're all people! Human beings! Yea...i oh...well, after this whole Dumbledores gay thing...im scared to go to fanfiction sites...havent been to one ever since last week...so, yea..

Wow. Must be a slow news day. Is this something that really renders a press conference? It's like Martin Sheen holding a press conference to tell the world that his son is in rehab. Who cares?

Good for Dumbeldore that he bats for the other team. Can't say I commend Rowling for how she went about outing the character. It definately could have been done in better circumstances that would have rendered a much more powerful message than making it a footnote after-the-fact. It was something I never picked up on but apparantly other minds went wayward and took the term "close friends" beyond what the page said. Again, nothing wrong with homosexuality but I never thought that Dumbledore and Grindelwald were any closer friends than Harry and Ron, who also took to each other immediately yet never had a romantic infatuation with each other. Unless you ask the slashers. Why would I get the insinuation that Dumbledore and Grindelwald had one when their relationship was described no differently than Harry and Ron's?

I agree with the majority, this has been blown way out of proportion. Jo should just retract what she said. Neville did not end up with Hannah ... you know he's with Luna! *Teddy explains to Ottery what the article is about* Oh, Dumbledore, we're still on about that?

It's funny how everything she said ... is exactly what I thought she had intended ... I'm not psychic. I'm just always right.

Well ... hey you asked. OMG! don't get me started on Britney ...

Okay...stop. breathe. Now, world, stop being prejudiced
*refuses to say anymore here*

I think it's true it's up to her what she does with HER characters, and I love that she's included people of all types.

Why is there constantly this misconception? Jo was doing press conferences\talking to fans as she was on a book tour. It's what authors do. It's not like she invited the media so she could especially out one of her characters. This is all the result of one direct question posed to her by a fan.

As I object DD being a gay but I can't say that Jo had no right to do so. She sees that, she is free and we are free to say our opinions but at the same time, we can't stop her from doing what she want to do in her character.

I think it's cool. Really. What's the big deal if he's gay? KJR didn't blatantly make it obvious in the books (i.e. strange, unfamiliar wizards being seen fleeing the vicinity of his office early in the morning - DD whistling at other wizards on the street in DA etc.), or even directly mention it in the books, at all, so as far as plot and all that is concerned, its not even really there! So what's the problem with these 'ZOMGWTF?!' people? I really just don't see the problem or why some people are making such a big issue of this. Regardless of sexual preference, Dumbledore rocks!

I don't know what to say

Even tho she's said it, and it's out there, I still do not look at Dumbledore as gay, I'm sorry. She mentioned a "tragic infatuation", that DOES NOT automatically label him as gay. I personally think that Dumbledore was in love with a romanticized idea of Grindlewald, not Grindlewald himself. If he was truly in love with him, knowing how he ended up, I strongly doubt he would become such a champion of the power of love. Add to that the fact that every human being on this planet at one point or another goes thru a time in their life when they are confused about, or experiment with their sexuality. Having feelings towards someone of your gender at some point does not automatically make you a homosexual. Add to THAT the fact the Dumbledore lived to be what, over 140, did he live a monastic life after his supposed ardor for Grindlewald died out? If JKR would perhaps say that Dumbledore loved other men after Grindlewald, then I personally would let the matter rest in my own mind. Until then, I think it's unfair even for her to label him as gay if she's only going to use that one example from over 100 years ago as her focal point.

She also said 'My truthful answer to you...I always thought of Dumbledore as gay.' Doesn't get much clearer than that.

Dumbledore was gay, JK tells amazed fans | UK News | The Observer

I think the point is Dumbledore's love life, much like all the teachers, is by & large irrelevant to the story. With the obvious exception of Grindelwald & Snape.

I still don't view Dumbledore as gay. You can't take a single experience of love and use it to label someone, as much as JKR wants to do that. And her defense of her decision has made me step back with regards to my respect for her. This is just my opinion, but she seems a bit TOO defensive, almost arrogant. Yes, they are her characters to do with as she pleases, but she seems just a tad too taken aback by the whole shebang. Just as her characters are diverse, so are her fans, and if she thought this revelation wouldn't ignite some people, it was a very naive assumption on her part.

I have to say, I agree to every single word she had just said. It's quite true.

I know the revelation was pretty unexpected, but isn't it being too drawn out now?