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

[Janet Anderson]

No: HPFGUIDX 105128

Gina says:
> >   Maybe because it is a series enjoyed by young children and not just
> > adults.

I think Gina is right.  It is true that these books are read and loved by 
people of all ages.  And no one can say what JKR actually has in mind.  But 
I think it is highly unlikely that she will put anything overtly 
inappropriate to young readers in her books, if only because I get the 
impression from her interviews that she really values the young readers.

If you have ever read a children's series by Diane Duane, starting with a 
book called *So You Want To Be A Wizard,* you can see an example of how a 
good writer can make such things clear to adult readers without using any 
language or imagery that would not be suitable for children as young as 
eight. (Like JKR's books, some of them are scary enough that I wouldn't give 
them to anyone younger than that anyway.)  I came away from them with a 
strong impression  -- and given Diane Duane's adult science fiction works, a 
plausible impression -- that the two adult wizard mentors are intended to be 
a gay couple, but if I had to *prove* it from the books, I couldn't find 
enough written evidence to do so.

It is my opinion that JKR didn't (and won't) put any such thing in her 
books, but a) I could be wrong -- someone should ask her! and b) if she 
does, I am sure that she will be at least as subtle and skillful as Diane 
Duane.



Janet Anderson

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