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This column contains MINOR SPOILERS for the upcoming "Battlestar Galactica" telemovie "Razor."

Please allow the book burnings to begin again. At least that's what I'm anticipating now that author J.K. Rowling pulled her beloved character of Albus Dumbledore kicking and screaming from the closet.

Yes, in case you missed all the hubbaloo all week, the head of Hogwarts and the greatest wizard of all time is a flaming homosexual. And here you just thought those flowing robes were a fashion statement.

I was hoping the story would die down by the time I finally put myself in front of the MacBook to write this column, but it hasn't. Even this morning, as I'm writing my column a little later than usual, I read that a school in Massachussetts is banning the book. But not because they are worried that Harry Potter could turn the students there gay, but because they might begin practicing witchcraft.

But isn't it the same thing? No, not witchcraft and homosexuality, but the idea that something can turn anyone gay with something that would make people practice something that doesn't even exist.

Maybe it's hard for people who take the Bible literally (and don't get me wrong, I'm as devout as they come) to understand that the events and abilities and even Hogwarts itself is nothing more than the work of a superior imagination. It's a work of fiction. You can not go to Diagon Alley to buy a wand. There is no school for witches and wizards. Even the brooms stay firmly planted on the ground (unless you get desperate and throw them). So how can you be at risk of exposing children to something that doesn't really exist?

Maybe I'm just slow to pick up how such a thing is possible. But I can tell you this, the whole catching homosexuality thing is also a strong myth. If sexuality was something that was learned, was something that was influenced, wouldn't that mean that the heterosexuality of our parents would strongly influence the sexuality of their children? No matter what some say, the basic elements of who you are and who you might be are established in very early childhood by your parents, by your family. So if sexuality is learned, then are gay people the subject of bad parenting?

I doubt that. And I have to say, this whole thing wanted me to simply pull out a column from a few months ago and blow off the dust. Just like Adm. Cain's lesbianism, who friggin' cares? What is the big deal?

When we turn on old "Star Trek" episodes nowadays, we don't point at the screen and say, "Oh my God! There's a black woman on the bridge!" Most (can't say all, sadly) don't notice, because most don't think black people as inferior as they did back in the 1960s when "Star Trek" broke ground. It makes sense to us, because the only thing that's different between white people and black people are the color of their skin, no matter what that yutz who discovered DNA says.

For me, I hope that there comes a day in my lifetime when people see a gay character and not even be fazed by it. That gay character isn't hurting them. That gay character isn't suddenly hitting on them because they are gay and have to have everyone no matter what. That gay character isn't going to cough and suddenly start an epidemic of "the gay."

And that's what I hope happens here. I am sad that Rowling decided not to share the fact that Dumbledore was gay within the books. But the fact that she would take the step -- without it being necessary -- does say a lot, and it simply goes to show that being a great man or great woman has nothing to do with your sexuality.

SyPod

Sorry friends, no SyPod this week, but I promise it will return next week!

SyBits

If you are going to pick any "Battlestar Galactica" minisode to watch, you must watch the one that is airing with "Flash Gordon" tonight. Let's just say that you get your first look at our new Cylons (and when I saw new, I mean old) in action ... and they are awesome!

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Michael Hinman, a 22-time winner of the British lottery and heir to three Nigerian fortunes, is the founder and site coordinator for Airlock Alpha, writing out of Tampa, Fla. He can be reached at mhinman@airlockalpha.com