Vision of Characters (was: Slash and homosexuality)

[siriusgeologist <lrcjestes@earthlink.net>]

--- In HPFGU-OTChatter at yahoogroups.com, Queer as John <john at q...> 
wrote:
> Meira wrote:
> 
> > There's a difference between slash and sex, it's not the same 
(As so many
> > people pointed out around here).
> 
> *snip*
>  
> > Some people might not like HP slashed or NC-17-ed. There's 
nothing wrong
> > with that either. That does *not* make them homophobes, that 
simply means
> > that gay characters do not fit into their own image of the 
Potterverse as
> > they see it. Even though gay people *do* exist in the real world.
> 
> But the very point is that this dislike IS homophobia, because 
it's not
> rational. Not once has anyone put forward a reason other than "it 
doesn't
> fit my image". It's like responding "because" to the 
question "why?".
> 
> If one's image of the HPverse is one in which gay people don't 
exist -- and
> can't exist without "ruining" it -- then one must be prepared to 
receive
> charges of homophobia.
> 

I strongly disagree with this opinion, John.  Even though the text 
might read as you interpreted it, I don't think Meira is saying that 
homosexuality can't exist without ruining the world of Harry Potter 
for them.  They are saying they don't percieve any of the characters 
as gay at this time.  And a lot of times the answer to why that is 
*is* simply because.  

That said, we all need to remind our selves that very few of us saw 
Angelina as black before she was described as such in GoF.  So, yes, 
there is loads of room for that to be clarified.  Hopefully OoP will 
clarify some of these issues. (YAY for release date.)

Let's put this in a different context.  It's really more comparable 
to casting discussions than it is to one's own feelings about 
homosexuality.  

I can say that I can't picture Russell Crowe as Sirius.  That image 
leaves a very strong bad flavor in my mouth. Why? I dunno, because.  
It's a feel you have for the character that isn't always based on 
the author's description.  And it doesn't necessarily reflect a anti-
Crowe phobia.  I might like him in other parts but NOT as Sirius.  
There are some fan artists who I thoroughly agree with their vision 
of the character and others that, while I see the talent in their 
work, their vision of the characters face makes me go 
ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwww.  Why can't that be said of their personalities as 
well.   

Your interpretation of Sirius might include the assumption that he 
*is* gay and having a torrid long term affair with Remus.  My 
interpretation is that he's very definitely heterosexual (yeah so 
it's for my own fantasy benefit...why?...I dunno, because).  Does 
that make me homophobic because I don't see Sirius as gay?  I don't 
think so :::shrug::: 

If JKR revises his (Sirius') description to indicate he is gay, will 
I stop reading? ....no. I don't think it would crash anyones HP 
world if he was written in canon as gay, because it would be JKR 
changing our perception, and they are her characters.  But at the 
same time, I'm not fond of Sirius/Remus stories because it isn't how 
*I* see Sirius or Remus. I don't think that makes me homophobic 
either anymore than not being able to see Russell Crowe as Sirius 
makes me a Crowephobe. 

(Is this helping at all? ) 

I think that *that* is what people are saying in respect to sexual 
orientation in this universe.  They aren't trying to say that it 
doesn't exist in the wizard community or that they don't want it to 
exist in the wizard community.  Just that their impressions of the 
characters as depicted to date do not indicate any homosexual 
characters (the canon given to date barely gives the impression of 
heterosexuality either ... ).  

It doesn't even mean that they wouldn't welcome one (or 
more...before I get accused of tokenism) if one (or more) were 
introduced, or if any existing characters were demonstrated to be 
gay.  It doesn't mean that anyone will necessarily go ewwwwwwwwwwwww 
if homosexuality *is* revealed, mentioned, characterized (choose the 
right word).  

I haven't kept up with all the back and forths of this discussion, 
so if I missed some big issue, I apologize.  I hope the "casting" 
comparison helps clarify where some are coming from.  

Carole
I am not a Crowephobe, honest, so I haven't seen Beautiful Mind 
because he's in it...that doesn't mean 
anything...Gladiator...weeel...haven't seen that either...ok maybe I 
*am* a crowephobe....

PS.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY HEIDI!!!!  Such exciting news about OoP!  
YAHOO!!!