Gay Girl in Damascus: Tom MacMaster defends blog hoax

Gerald · 06-13-11, 05:52 AM

The student behind a hoax blog which claimed to be written by a gay woman in Syria has defended his actions.

Tom MacMaster, a US student at the University of Edinburgh, said the blog had been a fiction - but that the facts it contained were true.

His blog, A Gay Girl in Damascus, described life in the Syrian city amid the current political unrest.

It gained a worldwide readership and was closely followed by news organisations.

The blog, dating back to February this year, claimed to document the life of 25-year-old Amina Abdallah Arraf al-Omari, a half-Syrian, half-American lesbian living in Damascus.

Entries covered her social life and relationships, but "Amina" also criticised President Bashar al-Assad and spoke about her role in the growing anti-government protests.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-13747761

Note: 13 June 2011 Last updated at 09:19 GMT

06-13-11, 05:52 AM	#1
Gerald SUBSIM Newsman Join Date: May 2008 Location: Close to sea Posts: 24,254 Downloads: 553 Uploads: 0	Gay Girl in Damascus: Tom MacMaster defends blog hoax The student behind a hoax blog which claimed to be written by a gay woman in Syria has defended his actions. Tom MacMaster, a US student at the University of Edinburgh, said the blog had been a fiction - but that the facts it contained were true. His blog, A Gay Girl in Damascus, described life in the Syrian city amid the current political unrest. It gained a worldwide readership and was closely followed by news organisations. The blog, dating back to February this year, claimed to document the life of 25-year-old Amina Abdallah Arraf al-Omari, a half-Syrian, half-American lesbian living in Damascus. Entries covered her social life and relationships, but "Amina" also criticised President Bashar al-Assad and spoke about her role in the growing anti-government protests. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-13747761 Note: 13 June 2011 Last updated at 09:19 GMT __________________ Nothing in life is to be feard,it is only to be understood. Marie Curie