One reason is that J.K. Rowling herself revealed that Dumbledore was gay. This opened the door for fans to explore this aspect of his character more deeply in fanfiction. It allows fans to fill in the gaps in the story that the original books didn't fully explore regarding his love life.
Yes, there are some out there. You can start by looking on fanfiction websites like Archive of Our Own. Just search for 'Harry and Dumbledore' in the relevant categories, and you'll find various interpretations of their relationship in fan - created stories.
One popular 'Dumbledore is gay' fanfic might be 'The Hidden Truths of Dumbledore'. It delves into his relationships and how his sexual orientation could have influenced his actions and decisions in the wizarding world. It often explores his unspoken feelings for certain characters.
It could be a form of self - expression. Fans who identify with the LGBTQ+ community might see Dumbledore as a character they can project their own experiences and feelings onto. By writing gay fanfic about him, they are able to create stories that resonate with their own identities.
One popular one might be those that explore Dumbledore's relationship with Grindelwald during their younger days. They often delve into the complex emotions and the special bond they had.
The popularity might stem from the fact that both Harry and Dumbledore are complex and beloved characters. Fans enjoy taking these characters and expanding on their relationship in new and unexpected ways. Also, the LGBTQ+ community within the fan base may find it appealing to see their own interpretations of relationships represented. It gives a chance to see different facets of the characters' personalities that may not have been explored in the original story.
One popular one could be 'The Lost Years of Albus Dumbledore' which delves into his relationships in a new way. It might explore his friendship with Grindelwald with undertones of a deeper relationship.
There are indeed fan fictions like that. Some fans, based on JK Rowling's revelation that Dumbledore was gay, write their own stories. These stories might include his past relationships, his unrequited love perhaps, or how his sexual orientation affected his actions and decisions throughout his life in the wizarding world. It's a way for fans to add more depth to the character from their own perspectives.
The ethical concerns are many. Firstly, it objectifies a character who was meant to be a symbol of wisdom and guidance in the 'Harry Potter' world. Dumbledore was created with certain values and a role in the story, and reducing him to a sexual object in fanfic is wrong. Secondly, it can have a negative impact on the fan community. It may divide fans, with some being offended by this kind of content while others may find it acceptable. This can create an uncomfortable and unharmonious environment within the fan community. And lastly, it can potentially damage the reputation of the 'Harry Potter' brand as a whole, as it associates it with inappropriate and sexualized content.
One possible reason could be that Dumbledore is worried about how the wizarding world would react. The wizarding society might be quite traditional and conservative, and homosexuality could be seen as something different or not accepted. So Dumbledore, being a figure who has to think about the overall stability and reputation of Hogwarts and the wizarding community, might be afraid of the potential backlash that could come if Harry, a very important figure, were to be openly gay.