Verified answer

I don't think that JKR has an agenda,or is seeking more publicity. According to the story I read, she had told the writer of the screenplay for HBP that Dumbledore was gay because there was mention of a female love interest in the screenplay and she had to set them right. Having done that, she might as well have made it public, since it would have eventually come out anyway--she could control when and how it was done.

Throughout the series, we know Dumbledore as a tireless and seemingly single-minded fighter against Dark Wizards (at least from Harry's perspective; we do have to remember that Albus is also a great teacher, an alchemist, and important theoretical Wizard--remember the tools and instruments he made himself). But how did Albus become that way?

We learn much about this in DH, with Arianna's story, Aberforth's story and the story of the friendship between Dumbledore and Gellert Grindelwald. In reading DH, it was clear that Grndelwald seduced Dumbledore on a number of levels; intellectually, ideologically, and, by JKR's new revelation, emotionally. We don't know if that seduction was sexual as well, and I'm not sure it is important for us to know.

The revelation completes the picture for us of a man who felt betrayed, injured by one he loved, ashamed at how far he went from rational thought and behavior, how far he really was from what he thought he was.

The up shot is that we now know more completely Dumbledore's motivations for fighting Dark Wizards--his shame at his own tangential contribution to Grindelwald's career, his reluctance to fight him, and, when Voldemort rose, his determination to not to repeat his prior mistake of inaction and to fight Voldemort from the start.

So in summery, It was part of the way JKR viewed Dumbledore and understood him. I don't think it was something that would have come out voluntarily--more likely something that would have made a scholarly article 50 or 60 years from now after she was gone and literary scholar had access to her full notes (assuming she left them to be investigated).

BTW, there is some inkling of this in DH, where Rita Skeeter talks about devoting a chapter in her book about Dumbledore to the Dumbledore/Harry relationship. This is not to say that there was anything improper--but that JKR did put out a hint.

wl

I think it's fine and it doesn't change my opinion of the books, Dumbledore, or J.K. Rowling. I was surprised, but when you really think about it, it fits with the story. The only problem with it is that the weirdos who want to ban Harry Potter are going to have a heyday with this (to which I say "down with censorship!"). If anything, the gay community probably appreciates being represented by such a great, well-loved character.

It doesn't change my feelings about the series already. I honestly had nooo idea, but her explanation seemed to give me some type of closure on dumbledore. It explains a lot about his personality and the whole thing with Grindenwald also related a lot. I just REALLY hope that people don't start to say stupid things about the whole dumbledore/harry relationship. *Sigh* i can hear the controversy brewing. I'm happy that she included something like that into her books. And i think it will be even more interesting to see how the issue of religion surrounding the books is going to continue on, with this new bit of info.

It don't change how I feel about the Harry Potter series one bit. It surprised me that he would be gay. I was thinking Snape or Voldemort would have turned out gay. We knew Snape wasn't because he loved Lily. Voldemort on the other hand, I think he's gay. Even if JK Rowling continued the HP series I would still be reading them.

I know. That was so weird. I would have never guessed. Why is she saying this now? I think it is kinda weird that he is gay 'cause I would have never guessed. I don't hold it against him though. Oh, and he had a thing for Glinderwarld I think it is spelled. Just that really evil wizard that he defeated in 1945. They were friends as teenagers........Read book 7. It explains everything.

um actually, i dont think it was in new orleans, it was at carnagie hall...here look

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071020/ap_on_en_ot/bo...