Why does the sexual preference of a fictional character matter?

It's news because homophobia is all the rage these days.

The controversy over this makes just about as much sense to as people living in their homogeneous, suburbanite communities freaking out, because somewhere someone is gay. Granted, they never see or meet these gay people (or "the gays" as they like to refer to them) where they live, but they know that they're out there. Having gay relationships. Somewhere out there. And it makes them hysterical.

"OMG! Gay people, they exist!"

I've read all the books, although I wouldn't say I'm an avid, obsessed Harry Potter fan. I would have never "picked up" on the fact Dumbledore is gay, had I not been told he was. His sexuality was not, in any way, shape or form, an important part of the storyline.

The cynic in me says J.K. Rowling chose this time to make the big announcement about Dumbledore to try and drum up even more interest in her books - since there won't be all the speculation for the next two years about "what's going to happen in the next book" and "what it will be called" and "what the cover will look like," etc.

Its not like the media is top notch these days....Its such a big deal because there is a huge gay rights movement occurring just now.

There is no significance really, it shouldnt matter. What people dont realize is that this is a bad thing, its telling young people who read these stories that it matters wether or not your gay, like the color of skin, man or woman, age, disabilities and what not, It is just reinforcing the war, not helping it. Dumbledore is gay, do any people in the book know this? Acknowledge this? Have any concern for gay or strait? No.

I read Anne Rice and often times the characters in her books are gay or bisexual, it doesnt bother me one bit, these are books written for older readers, not childrens stories.

Wether or not people like it, parents have the right and the responsibility to protect what enters their childrens developing minds. If beforehand it was stated that he was gay, parents have the right to allow their children to read the books or not, when the children are then older they can decide for themselves to read it or not.

I would rather not think about these serious matters when Im reading a magical childrens story, plain and simple.

Harry Potter, the series, was a best seller for children, millions of children flocked to the stores to buy the book and it kept their interest. Lots of children choose fictional characters (we used to do that and he was called "superman") as heroes and people they look up to and want to be like. So it's a big disappointment to find out the person's or person behind a fictional character to be of a sexual preference not preferred. by christians. Our country is considered christian because of the large population of christians, because the country was started as christian, because the bible believes in a couple being comprised of only one male and one female. So it's dangerous for our children to believe their hero is not of the preference most of them are. And I could easily see why the books would be condemned from use in certain, or at least private, libraries and halted from children's use.

The Harry Potter series is very popular. It's also controversial. Some Christian groups, as I'm sure you're aware, say that it promotes witchcraft and the devil and other so called anti-Christian agendas. So by the author anouncing that one of the main characters was gay further feeds the flames. And we all know controversy is news.

I've read them and still can't tell you why everyone is going on like this. I see nothing wrong with the character or the story now. It changes nothing to me. There have always been associations made between the book and life before why does this one have to hit such a nerve? The only thing odd to me is her timing in releasing it - though why she had to release it is beyond me; if she had such a clear image of him it should have came across in her writing.

In the interview, J.K. stated she'd always wanted to make Dumbledore gay.

It's not actually mentioned in the books. But since it technically was aimed towards younger audiences, she did not want to put this in, for fear of dealing with outraged parents.

She also said she wanted her fans to have something to talk about.

Fan fiction for Harry Potter is HUGE! This presents a great opportunity to those amateur writers out there.

She said that she did not create the characters, they created themselves.

For us Harry Potter fans, it is definitely VERY significant.

P.S.

I always thought he was gay but it was never directly stated.

Frankly, I'm glad she settled it for me.

Not to be judgemental or anything...

It's news because the books and movies have been wildly popular and the author, whether she really intended to or not, developed a character that has some nebulous moments. By stating now that they are references to his sexual orientation, she's keeping her name and the future movies in the news.

I've never read the books either, but it seems to me that if the character has been in all of the past books, it shouldn't make an ounce of difference..he's been gay all along, no one knew it! There's a war on people...focus on the important stuff!!

Honestly, I think JK Rowling is being ridiculous. Why does it matter? Harry Potter is done and over with, so why does she continue to add to it? My guess is that she's writing a new book and needs the publicity. Put a homosexual in a children's book and what do you get...more fame!

LOL. Erm... i'm not *in love* precisely, yet i'm fairly prepared approximately Dumbledore ;) he's slightly previous for me regrettably, in certainty i think of he's over a hundred years older than me o.O Haha Dumbledore is fantastically cool =)