Lupin as metaphor (was SHIP and RL experiences)

[guzuguzu]

No: HPFGUIDX 136968

Susan replied: 

>Thanks for giving me the opportunity for clarification. AIDS/HIV is 
>indeed an epidemic in Africa amongst all kinds of folks. But here 
>in the U.S. we did have quite an epidemic of gay men who died of 
>HIV/AIDS. I spent time with two friends who moved away from San 
>Francisco because all of their gay male friends died. <details 
>snipped> So in my very humble opinion, I think that Remus being gay 
>and Remus having a disease connected to HIV are both powerful 
>metaphors and both possible.

Thank you for clarifiying your meaning. I am very sorry to have 
misinterpreted it. Again, it comes down to the personal experiences 
we bring to the table when we interpret the books. I am sorry to 
hear about your friends. I am not in the U.S. (I'm in Japan, 
actually), so perhaps that colored my assumptions. 

Let me clarify my meaning. I am in no way saying that my Lupin/HIV+ 
metaphor is the only correct one. Elsewhere on the thread, Sherry 
has posted that she interprets Lupin as a metaphor for a disabled 
person, and identifies with the prejudice he experiences. I think 
that's a very valid interpretation. If someone wants to interpret 
metaphorically and/or identify with Lupin as a homosexual, I welcome 
that, especially if they find inspiration in it. What I do have a 
problem with, is someone who interprets Lupin as a metaphor for a 
homosexual using that interpretation to argue that *canon* Lupin 
would not be interested in a relationship with a female (i.e. 
Tonks). Canon Lupin is not a homosexual. He might be bisexual, but 
his relationship with Tonks as seen at the end of HBP is not a lie, 
nor a beard. And I am quite sure that JKR did not intend it to be 
seen as one.

Susan: 
 
>I think there are clues in canon to support a Remus/Sirius ship, 
>CERTAINLY as many as there are to support Harry and Luna, for 
>example. When I have time, I'll post some of them.

Up thread, I explain my views on this arguement. You are welcome to 
post clues and subtext for Remus/Sirius, but my stance remains that 
these are no longer relevant to the canon story as presented at the 
end of HBP. And as for the comparison to the Harry/Luna ship, well, 
that ship didn't sail in HBP either. Of course, unlike Sirius, Luna 
is still alive, so I'd be more willing to believe that possible in 
the next book. 

guz