I am the Online Community Manager at PLoS ONE. My scientific specialty is chronobiology (circadian rhythms and photoperiodism), with additional interests in comparative physiology, animal behavior and evolution. I am not an MD so I cannot diagnose and treat your sleep problems. This is a personal blog and opinions within in no way reflect the policies of PLoS ONE. You can contact me at: Coturnix@gmail.com
Join us at ScienceOnline'09
Submit your entries to OpenLab08
Buy the 2007 Science Blogging Anthology:
Buy the 2006 Science Blogging Anthology:
Stay abreast of your favorite bloggers' latest and greatest via e-mail, via a daily digest.
Add Scienceblogs to your Technorati Favorites!
« Science Blogging Conference - who is coming? (PLoS) | Main | URGENT CALL TO ACTION: Tell your Senator to OPPOSE amendments that strike or change the NIH public access provision in the FY08 Labor/HHS appropriations bill »
Category: Politics
Posted on: October 21, 2007 9:46 AM, by Coturnix
Yes, you may have heard the big news that Professor Dumbledore is out of the closet. As if it was big news - it was so obvious. Watch the Far Right throw a hissy-fit about it anyway.
And yes, Jim Neal, the Democratic candidate for Senate, challenging Elizabeth Dole here in North Carolina, is also gay. Not that it is big news, either. Again, watch the Far Right throw a hissy-fit about it anyway. Who but them would care?
Find more posts in: 
Politics
Humanities & Social Science
YES! Send me a free issue of Seed.
If I like what I see, I'll receive 5 more issues (6 in all) for just $14.95. That's 50% off the cover price! If I'm not completely satisfied, I'll simply write "cancel" on the invoice and owe nothing. The free issue is mine to keep.
(Non-U.S. subscribers, click here.)
Comments
I feel the same way. There's no reason at all to make a big deal out of a dead character's sexual orientation.
It's like Andy Milonakis's "the superbowl is gay" song, only now it's Dumbledore.
Posted by: Aerik | October 21, 2007 4:59 PM
Maybe if Jim Neal got a wand...
www.theskinofmyteeth.com
David B.
Posted by: David B. | October 21, 2007 6:15 PM
Are any of the Hogwarts teachers married (well, Lupin, but not while he was at Hogwarts)? Maybe they're all gay!
Posted by: csrster | October 22, 2007 7:24 AM
This news is not quite as much of a non-event though... not because of the homosexuality per se, but because it moves a tragic relationship from the books firmly into the uber-tragic column. So while 'big deal' is the appropriate response from a societal perspective, from a literary/reader/fan perspective it is pretty significant (though not critical or transformative).
Just saying.
Posted by: travc | October 22, 2007 3:45 PM
I'm looking forward to the day when TV or movies take up more of Tanya Huff's work. Most of her work is fantasies with magic. The real fantasy element is that quite a few of the characters are gay, and when they fall in love with someone straight, that person is attracted to them, too. Her Blood Ties series of novels is being done on TV this year - I haven't seen it. A couple of the characters are gay or bi. Her "Four Quarters" series would be even better, because in that world, some people are gay, some straight, and no one thinks anything of it. They can marry whom they please.
Posted by: Monado, FCD | October 22, 2007 7:33 PM