What if Dumbledore from “Harry Potter” and Gandolf of “Lord of the Rings” fame were alive and dating? They could now get married in Ireland.
That’s what famed “Harry Potter” author J.K. Rowling pointed out in a tweet on Saturday, as the European nation became the first country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage by a popular vote.
As Rowling watched the historic “yes” tally climb, she tweeted this message to her followers:
Sitting here watching the Irish make history. Extraordinary and wonderful.
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) May 23, 2015In response, a fan opened up about being bullied for being gay, saying “I hope those bullies change their minds as they realise [sic] the world is changing.” Rowling elevated the fan’s dreams with a quote from none other than Martin Luther King, Jr.
.@ardit_haliti “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice.”
Martin Luther King Jr.
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) May 23, 2015She then declared that Ireland had set the bar for all muggles:
.@saskiatijgertje @cassie10yson Ireland first country in the world to legalise gay marriage in a popular vote.
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) May 23, 2015And, in a final word of parting, the novelist credited Matthew Lewis, the actor who played beloved Gryffindor character Neville Longbottom in the “Harry Potter” film franchise, with swinging undecided votes when he stripped down for a racy photoshoot with LGBT publication The Advocate.
.@jerilynsimons Personally, I think @Mattdavelewis's @AttitudeMag shoot might have swung a few undecideds.
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) May 23, 2015This isn’t the first time Rowling has publicly shown her support for gay rights. The Brit famously outed Dumbledore during a tour promoting the final installment of the “Potter” series in 2007. When a fan questioned this revelation in March, Rowling immediately shot her down with the following:
.@anakocovic21 Maybe because gay people just look like… people?
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) March 24, 2015Ireland’s same-sex marriage referendum passed this weekend with an overwhelming 62% of voters saying “yes” to marriage equality.
Joseph Neese