Homosexuality: Was: Snape as the lover of Regulus Black

[leslie41]

No: HPFGUIDX 153475

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "nowheregirrrl" 
<aida_costa at ...> 
wrote:
>
> It's an interesting idea, but I don't think JKR will touch
> homosexuality with a ten foot pole, no matter how 'tolerant' she
> preaches to be.  She is a practicing member of the Church of 
Scotland
> and the HP books have some pretty heavy-handed Christian allusions.
> 
> "nowheregirrrl"
>

Leslie41:

I agree that Rowling wouldn't touch homosexuality with a ten-foot 
pole, but I think it's because it would take attention away from the 
main story.

And the fact that she's a member of the Church of Scotland (as 
opposed to the Catholic Church or Southern Baptist, for example) 
actually means she's a member of a church that is quite open minded 
when it comes to homosexuals and homosexual behavior, and even 
homosexual marriages and clergy.

The Church of Scotland supports the repeal of "Clause 28", which 
forbids public schools from teaching about homosexuality.  According 
to religioustolerance.org:

"John Cairns, a senior official in the Church of Scotland called the 
existing law "completely useless." He said that it has created "fear 
and stigma" against homosexuals. The church's Convener, the Rev John 
J. Laidlaw, commented: "Young people in our schools are increasingly 
aware of the variety of sexual orientations and lifestyles, and 
education must start from where they are. Schools teach about 
positive relationships and that is the appropriate context in which 
to include understanding of sexual relationships."

Does this mean Rowling agrees?  Not necessarily. I'm an Episcopalian,
and I support the ordination of Gene Robinson (gay bishop).  Many of 
my fellow parishoners do not.  

But I would be extremely surprised to find that Rowling 
thinks homosexuality is wrong.  I may be extremely incorrect about 
this, but my sense is that she would not only have no problem with 
homosexuality, but would also support the idea of homosexuals 
marrying.

Just my "feel," nothing I can prove, of course.  I would be shocked, 
however, to find that any quote of hers reveals her to think that 
homosexuality is some sort of perversion.  I just cannot envision 
her thinking that.  It does not jibe with my sense of the novels, 
which stress tolerance and open-mindedness almost above anything 
else.  

But of course, even if Rowling doesn't have any negative feelings 
about homosexuality, it still doesn't mean that Snape was RB's 
lover.