Spring Break
Dumbledore: Out of the broom closet
Britney Drumm
Issue date: 10/26/07 Section: Opinions
Perhaps the most newsworthy event of the year occurred this week - taking the general American public by storm. Major news stations and newspapers have been following the unfolding event with a dutiful eye, making sure this story is given top priority to the American public.
And yes, you have been informed correctly: Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore … is gay.
Not just gay, but specifically in love with his former friend-turned-nemesis - the dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald.
Clearly, as most noble fans must, I feel betrayed. How could an intelligent, kind and heroic man be homosexual? None of these things led me to believe - in all my nine years of following the series - that such an individual also could be infatuated with a person of the same sex. Now, my entire perception of the series is tainted.
Dumbledore's secret alliance with Professor Snape? His business trips with Ministry of Magic officials? Those late night, private lessons with innocent and only 17-year-old Harry Potter?
Tainted, tainted, tainted.
Whereas before I was fixated with the obvious knowledge of all characters' heterosexuality - as a common frame of mind - I now find myself rapt with this ultra-mega-super-unclean knowledge.
This outing by an author has made me question other beloved characters from my favorite pieces of fiction. If the greatest wizard of the modern age - sans He-who-must-not-be-named - could be thrown under the bus of gayness, what other author or creator might be waiting in the wings to ruin another imaginary universe? If Dumbledore isn't safe, who is?
My immediate concern was for Gandalf. Another wizard and older man who used to hang out with Saruman the White (a lot) before that Wormtongue started to become a distraction. I phoned J.R.R Tolkien's office, but having been deceased for a number of years, he was unable to grant my mind peace.
The people at Ronald Dahl's estate wouldn't confirm (nor deny) any information concerning Willy Wonka, Matilda or James (of The Giant Peach). Willy Wonka (dealing with children), Matilda (being a child) and James (living with magically enhanced insects in a magically enhanced peach core) would all create a sudden, irrational uproar with my understanding of each tale and its themes.
And yes, you have been informed correctly: Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore … is gay.
Not just gay, but specifically in love with his former friend-turned-nemesis - the dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald.
Clearly, as most noble fans must, I feel betrayed. How could an intelligent, kind and heroic man be homosexual? None of these things led me to believe - in all my nine years of following the series - that such an individual also could be infatuated with a person of the same sex. Now, my entire perception of the series is tainted.
Dumbledore's secret alliance with Professor Snape? His business trips with Ministry of Magic officials? Those late night, private lessons with innocent and only 17-year-old Harry Potter?
Tainted, tainted, tainted.
Whereas before I was fixated with the obvious knowledge of all characters' heterosexuality - as a common frame of mind - I now find myself rapt with this ultra-mega-super-unclean knowledge.
This outing by an author has made me question other beloved characters from my favorite pieces of fiction. If the greatest wizard of the modern age - sans He-who-must-not-be-named - could be thrown under the bus of gayness, what other author or creator might be waiting in the wings to ruin another imaginary universe? If Dumbledore isn't safe, who is?
My immediate concern was for Gandalf. Another wizard and older man who used to hang out with Saruman the White (a lot) before that Wormtongue started to become a distraction. I phoned J.R.R Tolkien's office, but having been deceased for a number of years, he was unable to grant my mind peace.
The people at Ronald Dahl's estate wouldn't confirm (nor deny) any information concerning Willy Wonka, Matilda or James (of The Giant Peach). Willy Wonka (dealing with children), Matilda (being a child) and James (living with magically enhanced insects in a magically enhanced peach core) would all create a sudden, irrational uproar with my understanding of each tale and its themes.
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Viewing Comments 1 - 9 of 11
Carly
Carly
posted 10/25/07 @ 10:21 PM CST
Wow.. as much fun and as much as I love Harry Potter, bring up a GAY WIZARD is asking for trouble..
But I did know it was coming. He HAD to be gay. (Continued…)
Jessica
posted 10/25/07 @ 11:15 PM CST
I can't believe that you would let something like sexual preferance of a certain character taint your idea of a good story. Dumbledore was a good man. (Continued…)
SquidBrandon
posted 10/26/07 @ 12:06 AM CST
The sad thing about this article is that I am so accustomed to the deplorable filth which spews forth from the friendly and loving citizens of Lubbock towards people who are GLBT, that I completely missed that satire on my first reading of this article. (Continued…)
crank that crabtree
posted 10/26/07 @ 4:08 AM CST
with his metallic skin clanging against the walls of the closet door, he painfully grips the doorknob and turns it. he pushes the door open as if it equals the weight on his wired shoulders and teeters out into the light, his feet scraping against the ground, the gasps and wide eyes reflecting off his golden surface. (Continued…)
Fred
posted 10/26/07 @ 9:37 AM CST
The Squid is right, this author really does not know how to write sarcasm. The entire opening seemed like real statements. At the end, I really did not see the point either. (Continued…)
KATIE JACKSON
posted 10/29/07 @ 10:15 PM CST
That was supposed to be a sarcastic article? Recall your surroundings sweetheart. You're going to have to be better at sarcasm then that... we are in the bible belt. (Continued…)
Tracy
posted 10/30/07 @ 1:03 PM CST
To katie Jackson: I hope you're not calling the Harry Potter series trash. Thanks to that series a lot of children have started reading instead of playing video games. (Continued…)
rebeldave
posted 10/31/07 @ 7:13 AM CST
in a society that is okay to put a queer in popular childrens books is by far more offesive than a "vick-em shirt". the majority of people do not approve of that unnatural lifestyle. (Continued…)
Cowards Ban Books
posted 10/31/07 @ 11:10 AM CST
Rebeldave,
You may try your best to remove one of the best children's book series from public and school libraries (because you perceive, somehow, or believe that one of the characters could be gay, though I would point out that THERE IS NO DIRECT EVIDENCE OR ANY TEXTUAL HINTS that Dumbledore is gay, and your children aren't going to read it and say, "gee, Dumbledore kind of loves the men. (Continued…)
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