Who is queer?

[janelekus]

Jane, a new member of the list, and the mother of a gay man who is a
college professor specializing in queer history.

 I would like to give you a few of my observations about this
subject from my viewpoint, almost like Hermione's parents - Muggles
who care deeply about their child, with a window into a world they
are not truly a part of.

There are many parallels between the WW and the(RW)gay world. The
most obvious to me is a parallel universe to the MW, with its own
language, culture, humor, heroes and rules, which exists largely
unseen under the noses of the greater population. I believe that DD
is portrayed with a sensibility that allows for a wider range of
possibilities, and sees alternative viewpoints and connections. Of
course this doesn't make him gay, but aside from one or two tender
moments between Molly and Arthur Weasley, we see no adult romance.

I re-read the seven books with an eagle eye after JKR's
pronouncement, and made note of several hints IMO. First, the
word "merry" was applied several times to the photograph of DD and
GG, with their arms around each other. I actually noticed it in a
previous reading, since it didn't match up with my mind's idea of
what the photo looked like. I would use the word "merry" to describe
fooling around, perhaps little children at a birthday party, but not
two teenagers smiling at the camera. I took "merry" to be its
synonym, "gay".

This also lead me to consider Elphias Doge, whose obituary reads
like a love letter, and who is also referred to as possibly one of
the "merry" boys in the photo.  I wondered if he had a romantic
relationship with DD at school, and their proposed trip around the
world after graduation was meant to be a sort of honeymoon.

I also noted Aberforth's remark (DH p. 563, Amer.)about Doge, "That
old berk", muttered Aberforth...."Thought the sun shone out of my
brother's every orifice, he did."  IMO this was another one-word
hint.

And finally, there was that plum velvet suit DD wore to meet Mrs.
Cole at the orphanage...

Jane