We love hearing stories of high schools becoming safer spaces for LGBT students to openly express themselves, but what about the witches and wizards?! Inquiring minds want to know.
Well over at the world’s most famous wizarding secondary school, a boy will never be made to feel ashamed for having pictures of Cedric Diggory plastered to his potions book.
JK Rowling was recently asked on Twitter:
“Do you think there are a lot of LGBT students in modern age Hogwarts? It’s safe to assume that Hogwarts had a variety of people and I like to think it’s a safe place for LGBT students”
Here’s the tweet:
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
And here’s how Rowling replied:
.@claraoswiin But of course. pic.twitter.com/Galu47MT4X
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) December 16, 2014
adamsandel
But of course! http://dot429.com/articles/429-the-queer-appeal-of-harry-potter
Paul Nadolski
I always wanted to be a Gryffindor (mostly b/c they have the same colours as the University of Minnesota).
robho3
Ummmm this is a book of fiction and who really cares?
tardis
@robho3: You should care. Through these works of fiction, people are exposed to LGBT characters. Pop culture is a powerful thing that’s strong enough to sway sentiments.
I’m glad J.K. Rowling is inclusive of gay characters in the wizard world. I only wish we had actually seen/read about it in the book/movie.
Kieru
@tardis: That’s just it though – people WEREN’T exposed to LGBT characters in the Harry Potter universe. Dumbledore was not revealed to be gay throughout the books. His being a member of our community was revealed in 2007; after his character was killed off.
There is not one single instance in the books of an openly out and proud character in any major or minor roll. That’s why this DOESN’T matter in the way you would like it to. There was no exposure. At BEST there are parallels that members of the LGBT community can empathize with.
Ogre Magi
WHat ab out the non-human races? Are there gay goblins,giants and centaurs?