Author expelled after calling Harry Potter GAY

LONDON (Reuters) - Oct 6, 2005 8:29 AM ET
A British cleric and top-selling author of children's books was thrown out of a school where he said Harry Potter was "GAY" during a talk to 12-year-olds.

Reverend Graham Taylor, who penned the novel "Shadowmancer" which, like the tales of the famous boy wizard created by J.K. Rowling, centers on witchcraft and battling evil, got his marching orders after teachers accused him of homophobia.

"As for Harry Potter, well, he's not the only gay in the village," Taylor told children at Penair School in Truro, southwest England, referring to a catchphrase from the popular British comedy TV show "Little Britain."

He also said villains in Rowling's blockbuster series were "wimps" and called TV "crap" compared to books.

Teachers stopped Taylor's talk and asked him to leave.

"We were very disappointed to have to curtail a visit from Mr Taylor," the school said in a statement Thursday.

Taylor, whose book topped the British book charts for 15 weeks with the film rights also sold for 2.25 million pounds, was unrepentant and accused staff of censorship.

"It was a joke; a joke from 'Little Britain' that the children would know," Taylor was quoted by newspapers as saying.

"I didn't set out to offend. I'm a priest and I'm very careful about not offending people."