Homosexuality in HP Series: Was: Snape as the lover of Regulus Black

[caspenzoe]

No: HPFGUIDX 153886

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "leslie41" <leslie41 at ...> 
wrote:
>
> --- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "nowheregirrrl" 
> <aida_costa@> 
> wrote:
 
> 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.
 
Caspen now: 

Thank you for the Church of Scotland information Leslie.

I'm wondering whether anyone else here is willing to explore the 
notion that JKR does indeed touch on the subject of homsexuality in 
the HP series - but, perhaps, given that the books are marketed to 
children, with an eleven-, rather than "ten-foot pole" (ignoring the 
baser implications of bringing pole lengths into this discussion for 
now)? 

I am not a Snape-RAB, Snape-Sirius, or Sirus-Remus shipper, because 
I do not see any strong evidence for any of these assertions, 
although I do think there is a good argument to be made in the case 
of Remus for possible bisexuality, as he's unquestionably, and 
purposefully, I believe, androgynous.

Those I have in mind as the most likely possibly gay characters so 
far however, as opposed to those most often mentioned here, are 
Lockhart and Slughorn. This intuition may unfortunately be based 
upon some rather negative stereotypes of homosexuals of the more 
effeminate variety, what some of my gay friends would 
call "swishers," but, I assure you, I am not a homophobe. Nor do I 
mean in any way to promote homophobia. It's just that they they seem 
glaringly obvious as candidates to me - something to due with 
Lockhart's shameless preening and their shared fastidiousness.

My argument for this assertion, so far, is quite broad. Namely, I 
think that the series is fundamentally concerned with and 
focused on identity and its formation and development in the 
individual, Harry's identity, first and foremost of course. In fact, 
it seems to me that Harry addresses this theme in general again and 
again throughout the series, sometimes more than once per book: Is 
he really a wizard? (Book I) Is he really a Gryffindor?(Books I and 
II) Is he really Tom Riddle? (Book II) Is he really his father - and 
does he want to be? (Books III and V) Does he have inherent 
strengths and, if so, what are they? (Book IV - this example is the 
weakest, but can be argued) Is he really Voldemort? (Book V) Has he 
a pre-ordained destiny, and if so, what is it? (Books V and VI) What 
kind of man is he? (Book VI). I expect Book VII will continue this 
theme, probably in the context of Harry's discovering that his scar, 
is indeed a horcrux.

If sexual identity is an integral part of individual identity sexual 
identity, even if only peripherally, must be a theme of the series. 
JKR does address the issue of sexuality directly in an age-
appropriate way by allowing Harry and his friends some intense 
romances. However, I'm convinced that she also does it symbolically, 
with her characters, Remus Lupin being the most obvious case with 
his dreaded monthly experiences.

Just my thoughts on the subject. I'd be very interested to know if 
anyone here has had any parallel thoughts or intuitions.

Caspen