Dumbledore, played by Michael Gambon, was in love with his male rival, the author of Harry Potter books says.

1 of 2 J.K. Rowling, author of the mega-selling fantasy series that ended last summer, outed the beloved character Friday night while appearing before a full house at Carnegie Hall. After reading briefly from the final book, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," she took questions from audience members.

She was asked by one young fan whether Dumbledore finds "true love."

"Dumbledore is gay," the author responded to gasps and applause.

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."

Dumbledore's love, she observed, was his "great tragedy."

"Oh, my god," Rowling concluded with a laugh, "the fan fiction."

Don't Miss

'Potter' author gives rare U.S. reading

Potter readers on fan sites and elsewhere on the Internet have speculated on the sexuality of Dumbledore, noting that he has no close relationship with women and a mysterious, troubled past. And explicit scenes with Dumbledore already have appeared in fan fiction.

Rowling told the audience that while working on the planned sixth Potter film, "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince," she spotted a reference in the script to a girl who once was of interest to Dumbledore. A note was duly passed to director David Yates, revealing the truth about her character.

Rowling, finishing a brief "Open Book Tour" of the United States, her first tour here since 2000, also said that she regarded her Potter books as a "prolonged argument for tolerance" and urged her fans to "question authority."

Not everyone likes her work, Rowling said, likely referring to Christian groups that have alleged the books promote witchcraft. Her news about Dumbledore, she said, will give them one more reason.

I posted the whole article so my readers would not accuse me of making this up.

My kids have never read or never will read or watch Harry Potter because of the repackaging of the witchcraft to lead children astray.

I know not all kids who watch it will follow it , but some might and now one of the main characters turns out to be gay.

This plus the comments of Kathy Griffith on the awards show if this is not proof of a declining society , what else do you need.

They are already taking the Christ out of Christmas again[I know JESUS was not born on Dec 25 but still.

They want to take any connection with God off of national monuments , money , the Pledge of Allegiance.

The peace talks with the Middle East are taking place next month and as usual Israel will be blamed for everything again, but as long as they give up land they will be spared.

God give them that land and they will have it all back one day.

I wonder if this is the 7 year peace accord the Bible talks about that the Anti- Christ does his thing , time will tell.

Notice all the earthquakes here lately?

Prophecy is happening all around us and most folks can't even see it.

Pray for Israel for she is God's chose nation and pray that our government takes action on Iran before Iran takes action on us.

It seems to me that a lot of commenters on these blogs don't like the U.S. or maybe it is the the system they don't like , i don't like a lot of things either , but it still is the best in the world