Smash the heterosexual orthodoxy

[donnaimmaculata]

Following the confirmation of the Remus/Tonks canon and the subsequent - to use a polite term - discussions about whether or not Rowling has merely submitted to society's heterosexist pressure, I would like to ask a question that's always interested me: What makes Remus gay?

I am asking this, because there are many readers who read the character Remus Lupin as gay. And I don't mean the character's being coded as representing the idea of homosexuality on an allegorical level, which is quite a different thing. (A worrying one as well if people assume that making someone a vicious man-eating monster means that they stand for homosexuality, but this is neither here nor there.) What I am interested to know is what, exactly, about Lupin's characterisation makes readers think he's as gay as a tree full of monkey.

Because, as much as I like writing and reading Remus in slash pairings, I've never read the character in the novel as gay. (He reminds me far too much of my ex-BF for that, but this, again, is neither here nor there.) He's polite, understanding and witty, which, I realise, are qualities that are often contributed to gay men, because they are oh so full of understanding for us women, quite unlike their rude, insensitive, grumpy straight counterparts.

This is a serious question. I'm honestly interested.

Comments

[lls-mutant.livejournal.com]

To me, the only thing that made him read as gay (or bisexual) was his relationship with Sirius. That relationship seemed to me to be much more than friends, and therefore, Remus was gay or bi.

The rest? All stereotyping and silliness. :) Although I did see someone once comment that only a gay man would think to ask about Neville's grandmother's handbag.... ;) (Or a straight man written by a female author!)

[madam-marozi.livejournal.com]

Ha, that was me. Yeah, it's all about the accessories.

As far as stereotyping goes, aren't Potter characters "types?" Especially the teachers. Just as many have a Snape or a McGonagall in their educational history, I think Lupin is a particular "type" of teacher that many people recognize. Your middle-school history teacher who tells you all the shocking stuff the textbook leaves out, your high school drama coach, your freshman creative writing teacher. The enthusiasm, the empathy, the archness, the subtle bitchiness, the subversive sensibility...and the discreet old-fashioned gayness, which is not overt but taken for granted by anyone who thinks about it. Though even ignorant kids who use "fag" as an insult don't care, because he is the coolest teacher.

So, yeah. Lupin read as gay to me from "The Boggart in the Wardrobe" on. Which resulted in the lycanthropy metaphor and the Secret History with Sirius making a particular kind of sense for me (and it does make sense).

[donnaimmaculata.livejournal.com]

I can see how the Sirius/Remus ship influences reders' perception. However, Sirius, in general, is not considered absolutely and irrevocably gay, whereas Remus often is.

Oh, good point about the handbag, though ;-)