We should be past applauding

I read this opinion on the Arizona University site and was so impressed I had to share it.

J.K. Rowling, the author of the popular Harry Potter series, just announced that one of her most prominent characters, Albus Dumbledore, is gay.

Yes, the Harry Potter books have enjoyed plenty of censorship and what the American Library Association calls "challenges" (where someone would like that book removed from the library shelves; the actual outcome varies,) however the banning of Harry Potter was usually focused on anti-Christian values, specifically witchcraft and fantasy.

In 2006, for instance, the short children's book called "And Tango Makes Three" was on top of the "Most Challenged" list, says the American Library Association. It is a cute story, about two penguins who are best friends. Together they form a union, and find a rock. They take turns sitting on this rock, and wait for it to hatch, to no avail. Finally, one of the zoo keepers gives them an egg, and they properly birth and raise a child, named Tango. This true story is based on a gay penguin couple from the New York City Zoo. Second on the list of banned books for 2006 is the popular young adult novel called "Gossip Girls", again for its homosexual themes.

And, personally, it was not until literally an hour ago (when one of my teachers called homosexuality a preference) did I think people need to be further educated about homosexuality. I often thought it was simply just closed minded idiots who believed homosexuality is a choice, especially when prestigious entities such as UCLA and the U.S. National Institute of Health run separate studies that find that homosexuality is genetic.

With all of the research and facts that keep going into why we are gay, we should be past the day that J.K. Rowling, or anyone for that matter, is applauded for including real, honest to life love, whether it be gay or straight love, in their novels, because, honestly, there is no difference.