By Christopher Lee

Last week J.K. Rowling announced that Albus Dumbledore, a key character in her Harry Potter series is, in fact, a homosexual. The media right now is practically falling over itself trying to be the first in line to tell Mrs. Rowling how wonderfully brave she is for helping this fictional character find his way out of the closet. If Dumbledore was popular with the media before, you haven’t seen anything yet.

What irritates me is that in one fell swoop Rowling took a wonderful story enjoyed by children and adults alike, and transformed it into an argument for gay rights. Of course, as the author, J.K. Rowling can do whatever she likes with regards to the Harry Potter universe; but just because she likes picturing a gay wizard does not mean that every other reader must do the same. That used to be the wonderful thing about reading. I used to be able to read a story and make any conclusions I wished.

Another thing that irritates me is how I will be called a bigot for not wanting Dumbledore to be gay. Several people have made comparisons with Dumbledore and DaVinci, citing how DaVinci’s homosexuality does not lessen the greatness of his accomplishments in art and science. This would be a valid point except for one principle fact. Dumbledore isn’t real! He had no accomplishments or achievements. They were all made up. Dumbledore is gay, not because he was attracted to other men, but because J.K. Rowling wanted him to be gay. And now society expects us to accept that because Dumbledore is gay, homosexuality is no longer immoral; and anyone who thinks so is an intolerant bigot.

Let me explain exactly how I feel about this. I don’t hate homosexuals. I don’t hate people for how they choose to live their lives. However, I can and do view certain choices as immoral. That does not make me or anyone else who feels the same way a bigot. Though nowadays, we not only have to accept people’s choice to be gay, we have to celebrate and encourage them. Before we know it, it will be pedophiles and heroin addicts as the lovable heroes of sitcoms. The media will whine about their rights, and any attempt to condemn such behavior will be decried as bigotry.

J.K. Rowling, you shouldn’t have messed with the story. The series is finished; the last book is on the shelves. Leave it alone and allow each individual reader the freedom to make their own conclusions. Oh, and for those of us who don’t jump up and down with jubilation over your fictional character’s sexual preference, show a little tolerance and allow us the right to think what we will of Dumbledore.

Christopher Lee is a chemistry major

Copyright Brigham Young University 26 Oct 2007