It's JKR's party and she can push Dumbles out of the closet if she wants to

[book_rapport]

I have seen a lot of posts bashing JKR for outing Dumbledore; I won't go into detail here, as they have been popping up all over my and other friends' f-lists, but the general arguments are as follows

Comments

[annafugazzi]

I didn't read or see the interview in question, but didn't she reveal his sexuality as part of an answer to a question? Maybe nobody had asked the question yet. I'm not sure she would've revealed it before the last book had sold oodles even if she'd been asked, but I was really under the impression that it was one of those, "Well, since you asked, here's your answer."

Also: hadn't she already revealed it to the screenwriter for HBP? Or was that made up by someone on my flist?

See, this is the problem with getting most of your fandom news from fandom itself ;)

Honestly? I think it's ridiculous that people say they hate her or hate the books because a relationship didn't happen.
Thank you, yes. Me, I'm a big fan of H/D and H/R, and yet I must admit it was not a huge shock when JK refused to write my particular ships in the last books. Though I must say "You're obsessed with Draco Malfoy" and "That's my wand you're holding" came pretty close ;)

I really don't get the idea of shipping wars. Is it really that intolerable to people that

[book_rapport]

Hi! Before I say anything else, I just want you to know that I am a long-time fan of your writing! I've been meaning to get to your sequel to Volunteers-- I love your H/D so much! You satisfy my "vested interest" of who Harry sleeps with in fanfic ;)

I'm not sure she would've revealed it before the last book had sold oodles even if she'd been asked, but I was really under the impression that it was one of those, "Well, since you asked, here's your answer."

Yes, exactly! It's not like Dumbledore's sexuality was central to the plot-- no character's sexuality is, not even Harry's! This is because the series isn't a romance. And IMO, there was plenty of subtext in DH that already had me thinking of all the Albus/Gellert fanfic that would result.

Also: hadn't she already revealed it to the screenwriter for HBP?

Yep! :)

Though I must say "You're obsessed with Draco Malfoy" and "That's my wand you're holding" came pretty close ;)Hee! After reading book 6 I was really saddened by Tonks/Lupin, and I remember thinking, "Well, all the H/D

[poetrytoprose]

Thank you so much for this post. You have perfectly summed up how I feel.

I think it's ridiculous that people say they hate her or hate the books because a relationship didn't happen.
I don't really ship in this fandom; I accept the canon ships and I read fic in a few others here and there, but unlike many of my other fandoms, it's never been about that for me. It's been about the trio, the beautiful friendship that they have, and Harry's journey (and mine, really) through the seven books. To make it all about a ship, especially in a series that isn't a romance, makes it feel like it's an injustice to the world JKR has created. It makes me want to cry, knowing that some individuals can't enjoy the series because their ship has been "ruined."

[book_rapport]

You're welcome! :)

It's been about the trio, the beautiful friendship that they have, and Harry's journey (and mine, really) through the seven books.

I know exactly what you mean. I grew up with Harry, and Harry grew up with me. *sniffles*

The books are about so much more than romance. And I think shipping wars reduce Harry's journey to just that.

[thistlerose]

There you go again with your logic and reason. :)

[book_rapport]

Thank you! That makes me feel better, since my logic and reason are awfully unpopular lately.

I was recently bashed in a Women's and Gender Studies class for arguing that female genital mutilation is wrong no matter what a culture says; the class was unconvinced by my refution of cultural relativism. Also, I've just realized I'm an athiest, which didn't go over with any of my friends-- Christian, Sikh, or Hindu.

Sigh.

[thistlerose]

Ack. I've done some reading about female genital mutilation, and I will never, never believe that it's spurred by anything besides brutal hatred of women. I would love to see it banned.

Your atheism goes over well with me. Welcome to the - well, maybe fold isn't quite the right word. :)

[semisquare]

I hate to butt in, but I was scrolling through the comments and this one caught my eye - I definitely would've backed you up about the female genital mutilation bit; I learned about it in middle school while researching about certain African countries and it still completely kills me. You weren't wrong about that - they can shove their cultural relativism up their asses; I support cultural relativism in a number of cases, but this is definitely not one of them. Grr.

Also, I'm quite sorry about the lack of understanding shown by your friends; frankly, I think it very immature - I hate how people expect you to support/respect their religion and go bonkers when you talk about your lack of one. I've only recently stood up as a proud atheistic-leaning agnostic, and lucky for me my friends are generally supportive, but I can imagine the drama. Some people need to shut the fuck up about religion, really.

[oops_pig]

I don't care about ship wars. Ship who you want. JKR did. BUT I do think she is a publicity whore. Just slightly. Maybe I'm just jealous ....

[book_rapport]

BUT I do think she is a publicity whore. Just slightly. Maybe I'm just jealous ....

I think some celebrities pull stunts in order to gain publicity. But what is JKR doing to gain publicity?

She's written the most famous/bestselling books in the world, and audiences everywhere are clamoring to see her. She's not trying to *get* an audience; she's not even satisfying the fan-base she's got in terms of interviews and book signings. She could make a lot of money if she made public appearances everywhere she is wanted, but she isn't going on a whirlwind book tour. She's doing a very small amount of touring compared to other bestselling authors. (Stephenie Meyer, for instance, does a lot more book signings and tours than Rowling does.)

[rayerei]

AMEN!

[book_rapport]

:)