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

[susanmcgee48176]

No: HPFGUIDX 178262

>> 
> 
> Tonks: said:

> It seems to me that people, especially young people, classify 
> everyone according to their sexual orientation. One is either 
> Straight, Bi, or Gay, as if sex were the most important thing in 
> everyone's life. Has no one ever heard of the concept 
> of ‘celibacy’?  To be celibate is not the world of fridged 
women, 
> eunuchs and gay priest.  Sex is meant for the formation of a 
family, 
> not an exciting contact sport for Saturday night entertainment.  I 
> know others in our society don't agree with that, and I don't 
care.  
SNIP

It's interesting, Tonks. I have some areas of agreement with you.
I think celibacy is a fine choice...and I do think our American 
popular culture is oversexualized. (Although I have met lots of young 
people who argue that people should not be defined as gay, straight, 
bi, etc., and that gender identity should be fluid).
I don't believe sex is just for procreation -- when two people are in 
love I believe sex can, and is in its best manifestation, a sacred 
act.
I also think it's fine for two consenting adults to make love for fun 
and pleasure, so there we probably disagree.
Where I have the most problems is where sex is cheapened, used for 
conquest or power over, etc.



 Tonks said:
> I am upset at Rowlings actions primary for the impact it will have 
> on the world. I don't care if many people in the UK and U.S. are 
> open minded and accepting. I am open minded and accepting too. But 
> these books are read throughout the world. And this will have an 
> impact on those people who are not as "progressive" and ˜liberal™ 
as 
> the rest of us like to think that we are. 

Well, what about the lesbians and gay men throughout the world? Will 
that necessarily have a bad impact on them? 



> 
> Rowling has been very successful in doing want so many have dreamed 
> of and failed to do. She has united all people of the world. People 
> of all ages, races, religions, and nationalities have embraced the 
> teaching of Albus Dumbledore as if he were a god.  They have great 
> respect for DD.  Through him she has give great lessons on moral 
> theology to people the world over. These are timeless lessons, 
given 
> us by others long before DD, but through him they are brought 
afresh 
> to the world of today.  This is very good. And the unifying 
> influence of the HP series is also a good thing."

Yes, that's a good thing. We agree. But she DOESN'T make DD into a 
GOD! She makes the incredibly important point in her books (and I"m 
GLAD children are reading this part) that NO ONE is perfect. Snape is 
incredibly complex. He's vicious and nasty to his students, but he 
protects Harry because he was in love with his mother. He helps bring 
down Voldemort because he was once beautified by the power of love.
DD is complex. He and GG were plotting to conquer the Muggles! He 
made a terrible mistake, and because of it his sister dies. He's a 
fallible person. He does manipulate people. Yet he accomplishes 
tremendous good. He is wise, and strong, and helpful, and fights evil.


  Now Rowlings has 
> taken out the gun and shot herself in the foot.  For whatever 
> personal reason, one can only guess. But it severs no useful 
purpose 
> to discredit her wisest of wizard in the eyes of millions of people 
> who do not share our world view.  For example, the books are read 
by 
> many Muslims the world over and in places such as Iran. How do you 
> think those people are taking this news?  All I can say, is what 
the 
> hell was she thinking!!

That she doesn't care about what bigots think. That she believes in 
tolerance for ALL people. That it doesn't discredit DD that he was in 
love with a man. That she doesn't see being sexual as something bad..
(the comment you made about DD being "above that"). For your comfort,
I'd say the canon seems to suggest that DD was alone and celibate for 
his life. I'd like to think otherwise but I think he devoted his life 
to fighting evil, (LV), and to educating young people.

***********
I agree with others that it would have been far better had JKR not 
created a "heteronormative" universe....where only heterosexuality is 
seen, and that it would have been better to include a few lesbian and 
gay characters here and there, kissing, or dating...otherwise you 
have a witch/wizard versus muggle scenario...lesbians and gays are 
among us, but are invisible. (Although I'll argue that Prof. Grubbly-
Plank was trans).

...I don't believe SHE is perfect anymore than DD is perfect 
(smile)...but the very fact that she's assumed all along with DD was 
gay, knew that he was in love with GG, and made him as Emerson said 
on Geraldo the best wizard in the world.. makes me like her all the 
more. (and I know how out of step I am with the list right now - 
another smile). 

******different tack...

....As for those who argue that Lupin was in fact another gay man, I 
think I agree. His greatest joy seemed to come from his son. Now I AM 
wondering why he showed up with Sirius in the afterlife. I understand 
why Harry's parents and Sirius showed up, they were the three adults 
who were closest to him, but was he that close to Lupin?

Susan