Eight years after the completion of the “Harry Potter” series, author J.K. Rowling is still fielding questions — and controversy — about one of her most beloved characters.
A fan on Tuesday tweeted Rowling to ask why Rowling in 2007 said that Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore “is a gay because I can’t see him in that way.” Rowling responded in a short, but pointed, tweet:
.@anakocovic21 Maybe because gay people just look like… people?
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) March 24, 2015The fan responded quickly: “Yes you are absolutely right. Such an inspiration!!!”
This isn’t the first time Rowling has responded to comments about her beloved character’s sexuality. After a Twitter user tweeted about no longer being a fan after Rowling revealed Dumbledore was gay, Rowling responded:
@halfelven55ff I advise you to start following Brian Souter at once. He's much more your kind of person.
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) September 6, 2014Brian Souter is a Scottish businessman who has pledged 1 million pounds to fight the repeal of a controversial anti-gay law.
In 2007, after the final book was published, Rowling revealed during a book tour that Dumbledore is gay — news that many fans welcomed and celebrated, but that others quickly dismissed, saying the fantasy series has “an anti-Christian agenda.”
Rowling is a vocal advocate for equality, previously tweeting that “of course” there were LGBT students at Hogwarts.
.@claraoswiin But of course. pic.twitter.com/Galu47MT4X
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) December 16, 2014
Traci Lee