I am so happy. There is a gay couple in canon after all.

[Petra]

No: HPFGUIDX 178186

Magpie, in #178175:
> I would say Dumbledore being in love
> with Grindenwald is just as relevant to the storyline as many
> other love affairs shown or mentioned in the story.

Lee Kaiwen aka CJ (which moniker do you prefer?) in #178180:
> I, for one, don't see it as relevant either to the narrative
> or to my understanding of the character 

Petra, chiming in:
Dumbledore's attraction to Grindelwald, being drawn to this 
brilliant person, is very relevant to the depiction of 
Dumbledore.  I agree with much of what Ceridwen said in 
#178128.  His actions, when it comes to Grindelwald, says 
a great deal about how Dumbledore became the man that is 
instrumental in the downfall of Voldemort.

In fact, in contrasting with Bellatrix and even Regulus, 
Dumbledore's defeat of Grindelwald is extra resonant, no?
Bellatrix never could see past her attraction to Voldemort
even as he humiliates her in public.  Regulus on the other
hand, had awoken to the reality of the Dark Lord that he was
such a fan of (DH, US HB, pg. 186) and subsequently did what 
he could to aid in the defeat of Voldemort, penning that note 
in the fake locket (HBP, US HB, pg. 609).

In terms of the storyline, this attraction is very much in 
keeping with the theme of an essential aspect of evil: that 
it is often very attractive.  However, explicitly stating 
that Dumbledore was blinded by his love for Grindelwald 
would have indeed distracted a lot of readers from the story 
of Harry's commencement into adulthood.

More is the pity.

I essentially agree with Julie, in #178179, that Dumbledore
is defined much more by his actions than by his (a)sexuality.
Therefore, I can see why JKR left out this detail.

But I do appreciate getting this detail because this also 
further sheds light on why Dumbledore found it so hard to 
confront Grindelwald, and as Celoneth, said in #178174:
> the fact that he was able to overcome his love for
> Grindewald and do what is right shows great strength and
> character 

in #178175, Magpie:
> It seems a bit sad to suggest to unite "all the people of
> the world" you have to pretend a significant portion of
> them don't exist.

Petra:
Ain't that the truth?  But to deliver "a prolonged argument 
for tolerance, a prolonged plea for an end to bigotry" to
the intolerant and the bigoted, one has to toe the line 
carefully and keep from alienating those who most need to 
hear the argument and the plea.

Not an easy task.

wynnleaf, in #178145:
> Besides, I just don't think it's a good idea to finish out
> the series, allow readers to read and process the books, and
> then start dropping information that forces readers to reassess
> main characters, their actions, decisions, etc.

Petra:
Hmm...but the whole process of reassessment can arguably be
considered an interesting comment on the whole issue of
prejudice and bigotry.

Can it be said that revealing this detail post-publication
allows Dumbledore to be fully fleshed out as a human being
in canon, then challenge the readers with the evidence of
their bigotry if this revelation should turn out to change
their view of Dumbledore drastically?

Petra
a
n  :)
 

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