If someone could make up some ‘I love my dead gay Dumbledore’ icons forthwith, that would be just terrific.

YvonneMarie – Do you agree that it may make parents think, in the future, that there is a gay undertone to the books now? Therefore, why does it need to be said? The books have nothing to do with that.

Should we start calling Melissa Hannah if she’s the landlady of the Leaky Cauldron?

billy-’‘To someone’s previous comment, if parents won’t let their children read the books because Jo revealed DD’s sexuality, then they’re just a bunch of ignorant fools that need to step out of their little conservative, bigoted holes.’’ ur the bigot to talk like that, people have different beliefs

One more thing. Remember how some religious parents wouldn’t let their kids read this series because of the magic – something totally fake and made up.

Gay isn’t made up. Unlike magic it is quite possible for kids to believe its perfectly fine to be gay because Dumbledore was. Now how many parents are going to ban the series from their kids now? Millions! I simply can’t believe JKR would do something so thoughtless.

Earlier some one commented that no one deserves to be mistreated or harassed because of their sexual orientation – this is absolutely true and THAT could have been in the series. But making the greatest wizard that ever lived gay doesn’t say that – it says “Hey kids, you should be gay too!”

I really can’t believe all the people that are shocked here. This is confirmation for a rather huge section of fandom who always guessed as much, and already felt the Doge and Grindelwald mentions in DH were fairly implicit. Nothing ‘left field’ here at all.

I think its great. Too bad so many fat heads will find this as another reason to bash Harry Potter, but I think it’s lovely.

I have no trouble believing that Dumbledore is…er….was….I guess I have to admit he DID die… gay. Jo clearly gets the point, all kinds of people are gay and the being gay is hardly the main point of who they are. What I really can’t believe is some of the ignorant, homophobic stuff that some of you people are posting here. One would think that if you have read the Harry Potter books you would know better.

There is a line from the movie “In and Out” some of y’all need to take to heart, from one of Kevin Kline’s students after Kline comes out at his wedding: “You guys, face it. We had a gay teacher. All Year. We have to accept that and go on with our lives”

You guys, face it. We had a gay Headmaster. All seven books. You just need to accept it and go on with your lives.

And cut the heterosexist moaning and rants against Jo for just making you do what you do in the real world every day——interacting with gay people.

What I think really bugs you is that the gay person isn’t one of the minor characters who isn’t relly key to the story--like I dunno- Cormac McLaggan say, It’s Dumbledore, wise and powerful, in control and essential.

Gay people are that too! Get over it.

“I’m just glad he didn’t come onto to harry,” what the hell… it’s not like gay men are attracted to every single male out there…

I agree with previous comments, that I always saw Dumbledore as extremely asexual. But cool, I’ve always been slightly upset by the lack of gay characters.

And some of the commenters here are disgusting me with their bigotry.

I agree with everyone who is thinking that this is a joke…Honestly, Jo, where was the evidence? I mean like if she had backed this up some how, I could see it, work with it, but with no evidence….I am actually kind of disappointed in her. There’s nothing wrong with a person being gay, but there is something wrong with saying a character is gay after the fact. I feel like she only did for the fanfiction and to make a political statement. I mean in the books it is explicitly said that Dumbledore was friends with Grindelwald…if it were so important to mention that he was gay (as I imagine it was, seeing as how she’s now announced it), then why didn’t she make a slight overture about it?

Next I suppose she will come out and say that Ariana Dumbledore really was raped….there’s more evidence to support that than there is that Dumbledore is gay.

Oh gosh, this night was just so amazing. Jo is so sweet.

I personally think it’s kind of cool that she made Dumbledore gay—I had always assumed him to be.

Hmm… maybe this should have been one of those “secret lives of characters” things that should stay in the author’s mind. It brings a lot of insight to Dumbledore’s character, and I think it’s cool, but I dread what the media and the fanatical religious right will say. I don’t think they should be given more excuses to trash this wonderful series.

That said, long live Grindeldore! I wonder if it was unrequited, or if there was an actual relationship there?

Jo Rowling, you are fantastic. SO MUCH LOVE FOR THIS, AM GRINNING LIKE A FOOL.

You all are right, it is never mentioned in the books. But nevertheless, I now know about it and it will affect my thinking when I re-read the books. :(

I’m just saying it won’t be the same.

“But making the greatest wizard that ever lived gay doesn’t say that – it says “Hey kids, you should be gay too!”” Noooooooo it doesn’t at all. It says “hey, gay people can be important too.”

i think the reason it wasnt in the books is because it wasnt relevant. it just didnt apply to the story line. but she thought we ought to know our headmaster was gay, so she told us now. so i’m thanking her. not getting all pissed cus someones gay.