Dumbledore's "out"
Rowling's magical revelation helps gay rights
Haley Paul
The Daily Evergreen
Published: 10/22/2007 00:00:00
After cruising the headlines on MSNBC while taking a study break, I came across the most surprising one of all: Dumbledores outing gives text new meaning. Stunned, shocked and very curious, I perused the article for more information. J.K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter series, spoke at Carnegie Hall in New York recently. After an inquiry about Dumbledore from a young reader, she revealed to everyone in the audience that he was gay and had been in love with Grindelwald. Even if you do not know who Grindelwald is or you do not read the Harry Potter series, this shocking revelation from the most popular writer in recent times is sure to have effects throughout the gay community.
Melissa Anelli, who runs a Harry Potter fan website, was quoted by The Associated Press as saying Jo Rowling calling any Harry Potter character gay would make wonderful strides in tolerance toward homosexuality [
] by dubbing someone so respected, so talented and so kind, as someone who just happens to be also homosexual, shes reinforcing the idea that a persons gayness is not something of which they should be ashamed. Revealing Dumbledores character is gay offers more information for readers about Dumbledores personal life. In the final book, Rowling delved much deeper into Dumbledores history than in any other book in the series. With never a mention of any love affairs with women, never having had a wife and some strong emotional descriptions in book 7 toward Grindelwald (Dumbledores now-known love interest), the character of Dumbledore is more completely understood.
This new revelation gives us more information about a character in a book, but it also elevates the books to a new level in terms of cultural awareness and understanding toward homosexuality for millions of readers around the world.
Rowling could not have chosen a better character to have come out of the closet if her ultimate goal was to promote fairness and equity for all people, regardless of sexuality. And although it may come as a shock to fans and with Rowlings comment so recent it will be interesting to see the reactions as the news spreads Dumbledores coming out is brave.
Perhaps Dumbledores coming out will get people talking. Rowling could have revealed such information to promote a higher cause, bringing more acceptance towards homosexuality, or perhaps Dumbledores homosexuality is simply a statement that anyone can be gay. But he or she is still a person with talents, personal issues, a history, a family, hopes, dreams and desires, and being gay is nothing to be embarrassed to talk about.
Perhaps Dumbledore will get people talking about homosexuality in the United States. Pertinent issues such as constitutional bans on gay marriage and overall negative attitudes toward homosexuality are in need of a change. One can only hope that in the 21st century, people will understand the variations in sexuality among the human species are normal. Gay, straight, lesbian or bisexual, everyone has equal rights to access to opportunities and the pursuit of happiness.
