2008 Woodie Awards
Editorial
Rowling's delayed gay revelation does nothing
Issue date: 10/22/07 Section: Opinions
- Page 1 of 1
Audiences apparently gasped Friday night when Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling announced that professor Albus Dumbledore was gay. The response came after a reading of the seventh book, when a fan asked the author whether Dumbledore finds true love.
"Dumbledore is gay," Rowling replied.
While this revelation was no doubt shocking for some, what the hell does it have to do with anything? He was apparently gay; so what?
This revelation may have been important had Rowling actually included this detail in any of the seven Harry Potter books.
Saying the popular character was gay after the fact means nothing. The series is finished, the character is dead and nothing will come of this new found fact except more sensational stories and perhaps increased book sales.
Rowling went on to say Dumbledore had a secret crush on one of his main rivals, and was depressed at his supposed love interest's choice of being evil. Wow, that would have been a great storyline had it actually appeared in print. Who cares now?
Revealing that storyline is about as relevant as saying Dumbledore was the nephew of Jimmy Carter or lived in Turkey with his five kids and pet elephant. This board sees no reason for Rowling to reveal this fact, other than to attempt to keep a book series that ended in the spotlight.
Rowling could have done a lot more had she included this fact and storyline in the books themselves.
In a book series this popular, a gay character, fictional or otherwise, could have made an impact on readers, and brought a celebrated gay character, something lacking in mainstream media in general, to the forefront.
Sensationalizing his sexuality after the fact is a cop out, and Rowling should be embarrassed.
"Dumbledore is gay," Rowling replied.
While this revelation was no doubt shocking for some, what the hell does it have to do with anything? He was apparently gay; so what?
This revelation may have been important had Rowling actually included this detail in any of the seven Harry Potter books.
Saying the popular character was gay after the fact means nothing. The series is finished, the character is dead and nothing will come of this new found fact except more sensational stories and perhaps increased book sales.
Rowling went on to say Dumbledore had a secret crush on one of his main rivals, and was depressed at his supposed love interest's choice of being evil. Wow, that would have been a great storyline had it actually appeared in print. Who cares now?
Revealing that storyline is about as relevant as saying Dumbledore was the nephew of Jimmy Carter or lived in Turkey with his five kids and pet elephant. This board sees no reason for Rowling to reveal this fact, other than to attempt to keep a book series that ended in the spotlight.
Rowling could have done a lot more had she included this fact and storyline in the books themselves.
In a book series this popular, a gay character, fictional or otherwise, could have made an impact on readers, and brought a celebrated gay character, something lacking in mainstream media in general, to the forefront.
Sensationalizing his sexuality after the fact is a cop out, and Rowling should be embarrassed.