J.K. Rowling: "Dumbledore is Gay"

October 22, 2007 9:02 a.m. EST

New York City, New York (CNS) - During the New York leg of her U.S. book tour, Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling "outs" book character Dumbledore on Friday in front of fans and media in New York's Carnegie Hall.

"Dumbledore is gay," the English author said when asked if Hogwarts school headmaster Albus Dumbledore found "true love."

She added the character was smitten with Gellert Grindelwald, his companion before the latter became his nemesis whom he defeated in a battle between good and bad wizards long ago.

"Falling in love can blind us to an extent," she said. The incident "horribly, terribly let down" Dumbledore and his love for Grindelwald was his "great tragedy," according to Rowling.

Peter Tatchell, a gay rights activist, was glad about the revelation. "It's good that children's literature includes the reality of gay people, since we exist in every society," he said.

However, Tatchell expressed disappointments for reasons message of understanding and acceptance would have been effective if Dumbledore's sexuality was explicitly implied in literature.

Gay rights group Stonewall, through a representative, said, "It's great that JK has said this. It shows that there's no limit to what gay and lesbian people can do, even being a wizard headmaster."

Rowling, made one of the richest in England through the Harry Potter books, is criticized by Christian groups for allegedly promoting witchcraft. According to her, the revelation of Dumbledore's sexuality will be one more reason for criticism.