Dumbledore is Gay, 'Potter' Author Says

Answering a question posed to her at a book reading at Carnegie Hall in New York, Harry Potter author JK Rowling said she "always thought Dumbledore was gay" and that he originally fell in love with the wizard Grindelwald.

With over 2,000 fans in attendance, J.K. answered 16 fan questions, one of which was if Albus Dumbledore, master wizard and headmaster of Hogwarts, ever loved anyone?

Rowling hesitated and then revealed, "I always saw Dumbledore as gay."

She then explained that Dumbledore was smitten with rival Gellert Grindelwald, whom he defeated long ago in a battle between good and bad wizards. "Falling in love can blind us to an extent," Rowling said of Dumbledore's feelings, adding that Dumbledore was "horribly, terribly let down."

She went on to say that she had recently read the script for the movie adaptation of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and noticed a passage in which Dumbledore recalled a past female love – she immediately crossed out the passage and added the words "Dumbledore is gay" in the margin.

Upon hearing her response, a hush fell over the audience in attendence and then applause exploded. Rowling remarked that if she had known that would be the response, she would've revealed her thoughts on Dumbledore earlier.

"Harry Potter" fans have long been speculating on the sexuality of Dumbledore, noting that he has no close relationship with women and a mysterious, troubled past.

Gay human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell said: "It's good that children's literature includes the reality of gay people, since we exist in every society.

"But I am disappointed that she did not make Dumbledore's sexuality explicit in the Harry Potter book.

"Making it obvious would have sent a much more powerful message of understanding and acceptance."

The film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is due for release late next year.