Why Did Tom MacMaster Choose to be “A Gay Girl” Blogging from Damascus?

Last updated on: June 15, 2011 at 12:00 am by samya

Why Did Tom MacMaster Choose to be “A Gay Girl” Blogging from Damascus? 2011-06-15T00:00:07-04:00 samya

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

So the whole thing turned out to be a hoax.

Throughout the last few weeks, I have been a regular reader of the blog “A Gay Girl in Damascus,” especially during the current unrest in Syria. As Sara wrote in her post, “A Gay Girl in Damascus Tells It Like It Is,” the presumed author of the blog, Amina Abdullah, “is being celebrated as the unlikely voice of Syrian revolution.” The blogger wrote about the daily frustrations she faced as a 35-year-old lesbian living in Damascus.

Tom MacMaster.

But after reading the apology by the actual author—a white, Western man named Tom MacMaster—where he admitted masquerading as a lesbian Syrian woman, I started worrying about the image of female Arab bloggers, who believe social media hold a great promise for carrying their voice to a larger audience. For me, the case provokes questions not only about an American man posing as a lesbian Arab woman, but also about the very idea of using social media to bring damage to already-fragile images of Arab women in the public sphere.

Though some Arab and international media outlets were skeptical about the real identity of the Syrian blogger, others have addressed the issue in the broad context of the current transitions in the region, where reforms are expected to embrace not only political authoritarianism, but social and cultural taboos as well. For the past few years, the issue of homosexuality in a conservative Arab world has come to surface mainly in cyberspace as conventional media continue to be adamantly opposed to dealing with those taboos. For example, Facebook groups and Twitter hashtags were formed to support the fictitious Syrian blogger when rumors spread about her detention by security forces.

I found MacMaster’s confession to the Guardian and his statement that the whole thing was about him attempting to enhance his writing conversation skills disgusting! Why in the world would an American heterosexual chose to pose as “A Gay Girl in Damascus” blogging for the last four months? Is it a matter of adventurous sensationalism carried out for the purpose of fun, or is it yet another evidence of the validity of conspiracy theory that sees Western policies as detrimental to Arab-Islamic culture and traditions?

In her post on the February 21, 2011, Amina wrote: “I live in Damascus, Syria. It’s a repressive police state. Most LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) people are still deep in the closet or staying as invisible as possible. But I have set up a blog announcing my sexuality, with my name and my photo. Am I crazy? Maybe.” Homosexuality is illegal in Syria, and is punishable by at least a three-year imprisonment. Sexual orientation is not an open subject for discussion in the Arab world. Syria is being increasingly perceived as a police state with little regard for human rights. So MacMaster wasn’t telling us anything new.

The MacMaster hoax will most likely be used to beef up skepticism among conspiracy theorists about “Western plots” to destroy our cherished national and cultural values. I believe Tom MacMaster owes a big apology not just to his readers, but to Arab women in particular.

The Arab world has found great fulfillment in social media. In Saudi Arabia, they are organizing Facebook campaigns to campaign for the right to drive. Women in Egypt are asserting bolder and more forthcoming attitudes in the context of the revolution through social media. Virtual space is turning into the new arena for Arab women’s articulation of their identities in the 21st century.

The tragedy of the MacMaster hoax is that it shows how social media, long glorified as tools of empowerment for Arab women, could be used to bring more havoc on Arab women’s reputations. Currently, there are no legal mechanisms that might be enforced to hold MacMaster accountable for his abominable act. For the benefit of the doubt, the case should be taken only as an individual conduct that would certainly provoke condemnations, even in the West. But the MacMaster case should give rise to more serious global regulations to ensure that the Web, widely acclaimed as a window of opportunity for women aspiring for social and political advancement, would not be used for extortion and defamation.

Previous Post

June 14, 2011

A Conversation on the Speaking in God's Name Conference, Part II

Next Post

June 16, 2011 That Post Where Maureen Dowd Got Ripped a New One

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Advertisements Art/Theater Books/Magazines Cinema Comics/Cartoons Culture/Society Events Fashion Film Friday Links Merchandise/Commodities MMW Announcements MMW Highlights Music/Radio News Photography Politics Profile Ramadan 2012 Ramadan 2013 Ramadan 2014 Ramadan 2015 Roundtable Satire Social Media Sports Technology/Science Television Uncategorized Video Web

Select a Month November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007 October 2007 September 2007 August 2007

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What does "Beersheba" mean in Hebrew?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Place of Bread Dwelling of the Lord Well of the Oath City of Peace