J.K. Rowling confirms "sexual" relationship between characters, angering some fans
J.K. Rowling has confirmed that some of the characters in the "Harry Potter" universe are gay. Some fans, however, are perturbed that these characters don't actually identify as gay in the books or movies.
In a special features interview for the "Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald" BluRay release, Rowling confirmed a relationship between characters Dumbledore and Grindelwald. "Their relationship was incredibly intense. It was passionate, and it was a love relationship," Rowling said. The Twitter account "The Rowling Library" transcribed this section of the interview.
J.K. Rowling spoke about Dumbledore and Grindelwald's relationship: "Their relationship was incredibly intense. It was passionate, and it was a love relationship." (Continue)
— The Rowling Library (@rowlinglibrary) March 17, 2019
"But as happens in any relationship, gay or straight or whatever label we want to put on it, one never knows really what the other person is feeling. You can't know, you can believe you know," Rowling continued. "So I'm less interested in the sexual side – though I believe there is a sexual dimension to this relationship – than I am in the sense of the emotions they felt for each other, which ultimately is the most fascinating thing about all human relationship."
"But as happens in any relationship, gay or straight or whatever label we want to put on it, one never knows really what the other person is feeling. You can’t know, you can believe you know." (Continue)
— The Rowling Library (@rowlinglibrary) March 17, 2019
Rowling previously revealed Dumbledore was gay and even responded to a fan who tweeted they couldn't "see" the headmaster of Hogwarts as homosexual. "Maybe because gay people just look like... people?" Rowling tweeted back.
On Twitter, Rowling has supported LGBTQ rights, and has said that Hogwarts is inclusive. Some fans, however, believe the author divulging these details after the fact is not productive. Many wish the characters actually identified as gay in the books and movies Rowling created, not just in her mind.
"The thing that bothers me most about Rowling going into the 'intense sexual relationship' of Dumbledore and Grindewald is that after being criticized for glossing over queer characters except in interviews, she reduced calls for real queer rep to 'give us kinky sex details!'" one fan tweeted.
"J.K. Rowling Confirms Some Characters in Her Books and Movies Are Gay Everywhere Except in the Books or the Movies," another Twitter user wrote.
The thing that bothers me most about Rowling going into the “intense sexual relationship” of Dumbledore and Grindewald is that after being criticized for glossing over queer characters except in interviews, she reduced calls for real queer rep to “give us kinky sex details!”
— Exorcising Emily (@exorcisingemily) March 17, 2019
J.K. Rowling Confirms Some Characters in Her Books and Movies Are Gay Everywhere Except in the Books or the Movies https://t.co/Y5gcbMWNB9
— Eric D. Snider (@EricDSnider) March 16, 2019
One person suggested characters that Rowling should have "developed as queer" in the books. Another suggested what Rowling is doing is "performative activism."
Characters that jk Rowling should have developed as queer instead of rehashing dumbledore storylines: Ginny Weasley (FIGHT ME she was totally bi at least), Percy Weasley, dean thomas, Remus lupin (again FIGHT ME), oh and also, Tonks, for that matter.
— jordyn 👽 (@jordynmco) March 17, 2019
it’s performative activism that allows her to present herself as progressive while keeping her films ‘family friendly’ for the bigots that would undoubtedly kick off at the presence of a gay character
— laura (@lauraw97_) March 17, 2019
"Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindewald" was released in November 2018. The BluRay version, which sparked this online debate, was released last week. There was negative press surrounding the film in 2017, when Johnny Depp was cast as Grindewald.
The author voiced her support for casting Depp following earlier domestic abuse allegations made against him, according to the Associated Press. Depp is now suing his ex-wife actress Amber Heard in a $50 million defamation lawsuit, citing a piece she wrote for The Washington Post about domestic abuse.
After her comments on the "Fantastic Beasts" BluRay sparked outrange, Rowling has not responded to the public on Twitter, which she uses often to address current events and political issues.