I think the 'coded female' is part of it. He's influenced by the moon, he has a once-a-month curse, he's quiet, he's recessive (reticent by necessity, of course, because of his curse), he's understanding and compassionate, and he's an outsider to the rest of Harry's world. So, yes, he is a 'coded female'.
I think another thing that points to 'gay' to a lot of people, is the depth of his friendship with the Marauders or their memories, which borders on modern perceptions of romance. Even in the movies, which a lot of people have pointed to as bringing out a gay subtext, hugging an old friend who has been lost to one for years doesn't make someone gay or even bi. And as for Curaon (sp?) making this a point of gay subtext, recall, Curaon (sp?) is not English or American. Men are freer in other societies to hug and even kiss without a romantic undercurrent. Arab and South American cultures are more open this way, much more emotional. And their personal space is much smaller than ours tends to be, giving rise to imaginings on our parts.
But, the friendship thing is, I think, one of the key turning points that makes Remus gay in some opinions. People have a hang-up about close non-sexual friendships these days, whether from fear or from desire, I don't know. Really, you can be close without being involved in a sexual relationship. But everyone's afraid to try it out any more, or so it seems.
I've wondered about it too, and this is all I could come up with. donnaimmaculata, I hope you get a definitive answer!
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2005-07-30 04:43 am (UTC)I think another thing that points to 'gay' to a lot of people, is the depth of his friendship with the Marauders or their memories, which borders on modern perceptions of romance. Even in the movies, which a lot of people have pointed to as bringing out a gay subtext, hugging an old friend who has been lost to one for years doesn't make someone gay or even bi. And as for Curaon (sp?) making this a point of gay subtext, recall, Curaon (sp?) is not English or American. Men are freer in other societies to hug and even kiss without a romantic undercurrent. Arab and South American cultures are more open this way, much more emotional. And their personal space is much smaller than ours tends to be, giving rise to imaginings on our parts.
But, the friendship thing is, I think, one of the key turning points that makes Remus gay in some opinions. People have a hang-up about close non-sexual friendships these days, whether from fear or from desire, I don't know. Really, you can be close without being involved in a sexual relationship. But everyone's afraid to try it out any more, or so it seems.
I've wondered about it too, and this is all I could come up with. donnaimmaculata, I hope you get a definitive answer!