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J.K. Rowling defends 'Harry Potter' character's sexuality

A fan on Tuesday tweeted Rowling to ask why Rowling in 2007 said that Dumbledore "is a gay because I can't see him in that way."
This Oct. 16, 2012 photo shows author J.K. Rowling at an appearance to promote her book \"The Casual Vacancy,\" at The David H. Koch Theater in New York. (Photo by Dan Hallman/Invision/AP)
This Oct. 16, 2012 photo shows author J.K. Rowling at an appearance to promote her book \"The Casual Vacancy,\" at The David H. Koch Theater in New York.

Eight years after the completion of the "Harry Potter" series, author J.K. Rowling is still fielding questions -- and controversy -- about one of her most beloved characters.

A fan on Tuesday tweeted Rowling to ask why Rowling in 2007 said that Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore "is a gay because I can't see him in that way." Rowling responded in a short, but pointed, tweet:

The fan responded quickly: "Yes you are absolutely right. Such an inspiration!!!" 

This isn't the first time Rowling has responded to comments about her beloved character's sexuality. After a Twitter user tweeted about no longer being a fan after Rowling revealed Dumbledore was gay, Rowling responded: 

Brian Souter is a Scottish businessman who has pledged 1 million pounds to fight the repeal of a controversial anti-gay law. 

In 2007, after the final book was published, Rowling revealed during a book tour that Dumbledore is gay -- news that many fans welcomed and celebrated, but that others quickly dismissed, saying the fantasy series has "an anti-Christian agenda." 

Rowling is a vocal advocate for equality, previously tweeting that "of course" there were LGBT students at Hogwarts.