Wizard sex preference a non-event

By Jen McShane
Collegian Staff
November 14, 2007

On Oct. 19, people worldwide paid close attention to the words of Harry Potter authoress, J.K. Rowling. Her news, regarding Albus Dumbledore (headmaster of Hogwarts and Merlin-esque mentor of the Boy Who Lived) wasn’t reported in tabloids like Us Weekly that expose the trashy secrets of real-life celebs. Prominent news sources such as CNN, Newsweek and Time magazines ran articles with headlines screaming the news that Dumbledore is gay. This news came from Rowling in response to a question posted by a fan approximately three months after the epic release of the final installment of the Potter series.

While I know that many of us are concerned with the sexuality of fictional characters, was it really such big news that it had to be broadcasted on major news stations worldwide? And, if it was such, I personally would have preferred a quote or interview from Dumbledore himself. Instead, this elusive man, who managed to hide from the Ministry of Magic in Order of the Phoenix, was unreachable for comment simply because his existential state is lacking.

In all seriousness, the apparent homosexuality of Dumbledore did make major controversial news, in newspapers and TV stations. On Oct. 19, transportation unions went on strike in France and a middle school in Maine made various forms of contraception available to students. Kids from ages roughly 11 to 15 years old were given birth control and France lost use of its transportation, comparable to Philadelphia losing SEPTA. But what is the big news remembered from Oct. 19? Albus Dumbledore, a fictional character (and, spoiler alert, a dead one at that) is gay.

While it is disturbing that Rowling felt the need to make her character gay after the books were all written, it’s more disturbing to me how fast this news traveled. People not even remotely interested in Harry Potter now know that Dumbledore is gay. In fact, I heard this “shocking” news from a neighbor, who has never read the books or had an interest in the movies.

Does the recent deluge of news surrounding Dumbledore hint at the popularity of the books, or is it something more, like the old line that sex and gossip sell? The latter is my belief. It’s seen time and again that for many, gossip about celebrities and other people reads better than news of disaster or murder. Some people are just more interested in the affairs of each other, and this fascination has been around for a long time. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was questioned repeatedly over the sexuality and relationship between the great Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. It is not that these types of lurid stories are more important, just that for some reason, they hold our fascination and desire to know more.

Yet, this Dumbledore fiasco seems to be worse than just news about the lack of parenting skills of Britney Spears, particularly because Dumbledore never existed and it made news broadcasts all over. It also leads me to wonder at the mentality of Rowling and whether this was just a publicity stunt.

If that’s true, then she got her way, no matter how ludicrous her announcement was.

mcshanej2@lasalle.edu