I hope no one objects but I would like to know if anyone...

[blpurdom at yahoo.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 27293

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., justanopinion2001 at h... wrote:
> > --- In HPforGrownups at y..., Deeblite <deeblite at h...> wrote:
> > > I somehow don't think that would even occur to her.  
> > 
> --- In HPforGrownups at y..., heidit at n... wrote:
[snip]
> > Just don't get him onto the subject of his boss.  According to 
> > Mr. Crouch ... as I was saying to Mr. Crouch ... Mr. Crouch is of 
> > the opinion ... Mr. Crouch was telling me ... They'll be 
> > announcing their engagement any day now."
> > 
> > Now, this does not mean that Ron is implying Percy is gay, or 
> > that Mr Crouch is, or that they're in a nonbusiness relationship 
> > in any way. But the last sentence shows, IMHO, that in the 
> > wizarding universe in which Ron lives, there are same-gender 
> > relationships.

I would like to think that, but in this case, I think it's merely a 
figure of speech, like children saying, "I love chocolate cake," and 
hearing the reply, "Why don't you marry it then?"
 
> I think it is a bit of a stretch to read these statements as 
> evidence that same-gender relationships exist in the wizarding 
> world. [snip] It is tempting, I suppose, to impose our own politics 
> and view of the world onto JKR's wizarding world.  Based on what 
> I've read, though, the wizarding world is firmly and entirely 
> heterosexual.  JKR has included numerous references to boys feeling 
> amorous in the company of veela and witches, including Ginny's 
> crush on Harry, Harry's crush on Cho, Ron's crush on Fleur, Ron 
> noticing Rosmerta.  (See quote below).  So far, JKR hasn't done 
> that with same sex relationships at all.  When JKR tells us that 
> Harry's stomach lurches when he looks at Neville, then we'll have 
> something.  

Even though I think Ron's statement was just a figure of speech, this 
above argument is quite a leap of logic, IMO.  MOST literature for 
adults, and 99.99% of books for children (exempting titles 
like "Heather Has Two Mommies" and similar books) do not mention same-
gender relationships, so are we to assume from THAT practice that 
those of us who "think" these relationships exist are merely 
delusional?  Most books for children also do not mention sex and 
reproduction, so are we to infer from that that we all were delivered 
to our parents by storks?  If we believe old sitcoms and movies, did 
all married couples really sleep in twin beds prior to 1970?

I doubt that JKR will be addressing issues concerning sexual 
minorities because a) it might distract from the main storyline and 
b) she already has the opportunity to address issues of this sort 
using Squibs as "metophorical sexual minorities," if you will.  

The only possible way I could see her inserting anything about this 
into the HP books would be in an oblique way that would be open to 
one interpretation by adults and another by children (like Smithers' 
sexuality on "The Simpsons," which sails right over my--and most--
kids heads).  

Possible scenario: Someone who is involved in an adult same-gender 
relationship could find themselves being blackmailed by a Death Eater 
or Voldemort himself, thus feeling compelled to do certain Dark deeds 
to avoid exposure.  The reason for this person being blackmailed 
could be couched in terms that children would find somewhat 
mysterious or open to interpretation in other ways, while adults 
reading would be able to say, "Ooooh. He's--" or "She's---" and fill 
in the blank.

But, even having said that, I would be very, very surprised if JKR 
ever did this.
 
--Barb