Homosexuality in HP (was Re: Ringdear of the Marauders: Sirius or James?)

[anthyroserain]

No: HPFGUIDX 104950

Brenda:

> One thing that really stood out during my first round of OoP was when 
> Harry snuck his head to the Grimmauld fireplace following Snape's 
> Pensieve fiasco. After Harry mentions how James was playing with the 
> Golden Snitch, Sirius adds, "'I forgot he used to do that', Sirius 
> said AFFECTIONATELY" (sorry, paraphrased and emphasis added, but very 
> certain this is the exact wording). Naturally you can imagine my 
> eyebrows were dancing in my forehead, mid-way. O_o

Katie now:

The bit that gets me most is the line in the Pensieve scene about 
Sirius watching James, entirely unaware of an admiring girl. 
In "Snape's Worst Memory", *every* little line seems to have some 
significance, as others have pointed out. Can't think of another good 
reason why she'd write that line in :)

Brenda:
> As for JKR's original intention 
> on this matter, we can only speculate till we get a clear answer from 
> her. My train of thought is, JKR started constructing the Potterverse 
> and formulating major HP characters in 1991 or so. I was only Grade 3 
> then (and what do they know, really ;P) but I don't recall 
> homosexuality being major hot topic. I wonder if it had occurred to 
> her to put this complex-and-minority aspect to the plot in children's 
> literature. After all, she has put much more to each characters than 
> we realize, just look at Dean Thomas' background! 

Katie:
Interesting Hamlet analogy, btw. As JKR is writing in the twentieth 
century (twenty-first now, I guess), I think she may well be aware of 
the implications of her writing. There are quite clear parallels 
between the Wizarding World and RL, and JKR's not above slipping in a 
political opinion here and there. So it wouldn't surprise me at all 
if she drafted the series' concept without these nuances, but, when 
she got down to writing it, added a lot of subtext. 
  
I certainly hope we never get a clear answer from her. That would 
spoil all the fun :)

Brenda:
> Katie, you are also right in saying that although Sirius does fit the 
> profile of typical womanizer, there is no canon for that, YET. But 
> the level of loyalty and devotion Sirius expressed towards James 
> isn't entirely unusual, IMO. We do see this close bond between 
> heterosexual males, I can think of King David and Jonathan from the 
> Bible. Or even with my friends -- some are very loyal to their 
> friends and whatnot, but also very much in love with their 
> girlfriends!

Katie:
No, it's not entirely unusual. I do think it's rare, though, for an 
extremely good-looking, rich, intelligent guy to not ever have a 
girlfriend, not that we see in three books, anyway. (Funny that you 
bring up King David and Jonathan-- I know a *lot* of people who would 
love to argue with you on that one!) I certainly don't think Sirius 
(or Lupin, for that matter) is absolutely MEANT to be gay, I just 
think that he can be read as such, and JKR leaves that open. 

Brenda:
> But by stroke of unfortunate miseries if I HAD to choose a homosexual 
> character from HP, I wouldn't go far as Lupin. If HPFG members have 
> interpreted the bridge scene in PoA movie correctly, then Lupin was 
> in love with Lily
 

Katie:
One reason why that scene bothers the hell out of me. It is *so* not 
canon! Usually JKR would drop more than a few hints if she intends to 
reveal a secret like that. Lupin barely mentions Lily in the books. 
(My irritation isn't because of hetero!Lupin, understand, it's 
because I absolutely HATE the old love triangle scenario. I commend 
JKR for not going that route with Harry, Hermione, and Ron.)
 
Katie
who will cry her eyes out if Sirius and Remus didn't have anything 
going on after all (I mean, bad boy and werewolf? come on!)