Yesterday, media reports ran rampant about a popular lesbian blogger who was allegedly kidnapped by armed men in Damascus earlier this week. While the woman’s story has captivated many, inconsistencies are leading some journalists to question her very existence.
The blogger who is purportedly named Amina Arraf, but who writes under the name Amina Abdallah, regularly discusses her experience as a lesbian and a Muslim, while criticizing the Syrian government’s citizen crackdown. Her blog is entitled “A Gay Girl in Damascus” and she is said to have both American and Syrian citizenship.
Earlier today, at approximately 6:00 pm Damascus time, Amina was walking in the area of the Abbasid bus station, near Fares al Khouri Street. She had gone to meet a person involved with the Local Coordinating Committee and was accompanied by a friend.
Amina told the friend that she would go ahead and they were separated. Amina had, apparently, identified the person she was to meet. However, while her companion was still close by, Amina was seized by three men in their early 20’s. According to the witness (who does not want her identity known), the men were armed. Amina hit one of them and told the friend to go find her father.
While this is certainly concerning, some journalists are skeptical not only about the story, but also about Amina true identity. Yesterday, pictures that were thought to be of the blogger were widely distributed through various media outlets. Hours later, it was reported that these images are of someone else entirely. The Wall Street Journal has more:
London publicist said Wednesday that the photos circulating on the Web and in the media show someone else entirely. The photos are of Jelena Lecic, who lives in London, according to publicist, Julius Just. A press release he distributed includes a photo of a woman who he says is Ms. Lecic, who appears to be the same woman in the photos accompanying stories about Ms. Araf. Mr. Just said Ms. Lecic’s ex-husband contacted him when he saw that the photos circulating of Ms. Araf were in fact of his ex-wife.
Ms. Araf’s story has drawn skeptics. NPR’s Andy Carvin and the New York Times’ Lede blog and raised questions over Ms. Araf’s circumstances, as nobody has been able to verify that they have in fact met Ms. Araf in person and that she is in fact behind the blog “A Gay Girl in Damascus.”
Earlier today, The Washington Post jumped in and also presented information that questions whether or not the Syrian-American blogger exists at all. According to the Post:
Paula Brooks, an American blogger started communicating with Arraf via e-mail, but was initially suspicious about her identity when she saw the location of Arraf’s I.P. address. It seems to have been routed through Edinburgh in Scotland. Arraf told Brooks she occasionally used proxy Web addresses to protect her safety in Syria, a procedure some Middle East bloggers have turned to under Internet blockades. The two spoke regularly on e-mail and chat.
Supporters claim that everyone should err on the safe side and assume that someone, whether it is Amina or another person entirely, has been abducted. Others are cautious and wonder whether the entire story has been fabricated from the start. Interestingly, a woman named Sandra Bagaria is said to be Amina’s “partner” and “close friend” (she lives in Montreal) but she has yet to physically meet the missing blogger.
What do you think? Is Amina’s story true or are there too many inaccuracies? Watch below for a video report on this story:
Sad, but people are abducted everyday why does her sexual preference make her story more special than anyone else who is being abducted, raped and murdered everyday in this country and around the world? If she exists I wish her well but this is getting stupid.
“why does her sexual preference make her story more special than anyone else who is being abducted, raped and murdered everyday ”
Don’t you realize that her obsession over her private(or not so private) lifestyle choice makes her a protected class?/sarc sarc sarc
These pervs love to scream for equality; well if she‘s exposing herself to a culture that doesn’t agree with her lifestyle, and they hurt her, then I promise she’s getting equality full force.
I think the activists, given the choice between protecting gay rights and getting more control of our lives, would be happy to throw that small demographic under the bus. Or the sword if it comes to that.
And they know of her citizenship how, they don’t even know if she exists? Sorry I’m believing nothing from the huffo post or anything else funded by Soros.
What? Are we expected to have a better informed opinion knowing nothing more than what we read here? What does our OPINION matter in this instance? What matters are the facts, which we do not have in sufficient quantity to venture an opinion.
How about when some more facts come to light you let us know rather than posting stories where we are invited to guess what’s going on?.
@ON THE BAYOU, unfortunately I really hate to agree… I loved the Blaze, but now its exactly what Glenn argues against. And WHAT is up with posting “Huffington Post videos” as reference???? HELLO Maybe hiring Betsy Morgan forman huffpost CEO, wasnt best pick. I think she’s taking away the Blaze that we love and turning this into another huffington post. Yuck, no thanks, big reason I hate using AOL.
She is also going to be producing GBTV. Is this what Glenn really wants, considering that the quality of stories on The Blaze have gone downhill in a hurry? Even Glenn has criticized the Blaze stories while on his radio program.
As far as the truth of the Syrian blogger, I think it is telling that the three sources the article used regarding the possibility that she doesn’t exist are NPR, New York Time and Washington Post, all Soros-funded media outlets.
I am worried about THIS nation, America. I could care less about the rest of the world. We are wasting time. There is an overwhelming amount of things to worry about RIGHT HERE!
Arab Spring Cleaning is working. Now they are even taking fictitious beings for Torture. Will Bashar prosecute the three kidnappers , like Barry and Eric are prosecuting our interrogators ?
There has been people who said they have cancer and take peoples money when they do not. The has been people who say they are missing family to get money. She takes peoples sympathy for good or bad.
All part of Arab spring propaganda or not, but who knows.
Does it matter? If she is real, she made the stupid choice to be gay around people who don’t like it. See what comes from selfish, self absorbed choices.
Agreed. IF she is real, she made the ultimate mistake going there; if she is a fake, then someone needs to expose this mess and find out what is really going on in the background.
I am pretty sure they will stone her for being gay. It makes you wonder why the activists support the muslims….if the muslims ever took over….our gay problem would be gone under Sheria Law….And the same Activists who don’t support religion….ahhh….they will have their heads severed? Well some one tell those ******** they are flirting with a deathwish upon themselves?
@ SHIMAUMA/SNOW – I’m with you. I‘ve been noticing how frighteningly epidemic it’s become for people to do foolish self centered stuff which puts them in harms way and then act surprised if something bad happens to them/put the blame totally on the other people/person….it’s scary. Most of it is just common sense. How true the statement, common sense is uncommon. Also, aren’t there more substantive news stories out there, Blaze, instead of these kind? There’s a big wide world full of more important news.
Does it matter? If she is real, she made the stupid choice to be gay around people who don’t like it. See what comes from selfish, self absorbed choices.
———————-
We should feel fortunate for our individual liberties in the US. If it ever did get to be like Damascus here, I‘ll expect you to go into hiding while people like me demand our freedoms no matter how many don’t like it. Fortunately most of the people in the US have experienced enough freedom to know it’s worth dying for.
Knowing the consequences of speaking out about such things in a place where people want you dead for those choices and viewpoints, why would she even be seen in public? Being a woman alone is an issue there. There is NO doubt (if she exists) that her identity was known by someone.
Personally, I believe this is a plant story derived by either a gay activist or the Muslim brotherhood. Why the MB? While they claim to despise gays, they could use this story to prey on the sympathies of “the great satan”.
“Does it matter? If she is real, she made the stupid choice to be gay around people who don’t like it. See what comes from selfish, self absorbed choices.”
Bigoted, prejudiced people do evil things to you…? What’s your point? That people like you are ********? Bravo–you’ve proved your point sir.
And Humanity Shall Overcome, No Matter What the Cost
Say what you will about homosexuals, they ARE people. I may not support Gay Marriage, and I may view homosexuality as a disgusting perverse thing. But they still are people. We should show our support for people like her. She could be in real danger. I do not care if she is real, or fake. She is a message. She is a very real figure in the Middle East, and we need to show that we will not stand by while things like this happen. She may be gay, but she is first and foremost, a human being.
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Yesterday, media reports ran rampant about a popular lesbian blogger who was allegedly kidnapped by armed men in Damascus earlier this week. While the woman’s story has captivated many, inconsistencies are leading some journalists to question her very existence.
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marxist
Posted on June 9, 2011 at 4:41pmEqual Rights for everyone! Marriage equality now!
Report Post »ChiefGeorge
Posted on June 8, 2011 at 5:46pmSad, but people are abducted everyday why does her sexual preference make her story more special than anyone else who is being abducted, raped and murdered everyday in this country and around the world? If she exists I wish her well but this is getting stupid.
Report Post »shimauma42
Posted on June 9, 2011 at 4:01pm“why does her sexual preference make her story more special than anyone else who is being abducted, raped and murdered everyday ”
Don’t you realize that her obsession over her private(or not so private) lifestyle choice makes her a protected class?/sarc sarc sarc
Report Post »These pervs love to scream for equality; well if she‘s exposing herself to a culture that doesn’t agree with her lifestyle, and they hurt her, then I promise she’s getting equality full force.
Khthulhu
Posted on June 8, 2011 at 5:42pmI think the activists, given the choice between protecting gay rights and getting more control of our lives, would be happy to throw that small demographic under the bus. Or the sword if it comes to that.
Report Post »Junter
Posted on June 8, 2011 at 5:34pm“..and she is said to have both American and Syrian citizenship.” Of course, American citizenship really doesn’t mean much these days.
Report Post »orkydorky
Posted on June 9, 2011 at 6:16amAnd they know of her citizenship how, they don’t even know if she exists? Sorry I’m believing nothing from the huffo post or anything else funded by Soros.
Report Post »Islesfordian
Posted on June 8, 2011 at 5:10pm“What do you think?”????
What? Are we expected to have a better informed opinion knowing nothing more than what we read here? What does our OPINION matter in this instance? What matters are the facts, which we do not have in sufficient quantity to venture an opinion.
How about when some more facts come to light you let us know rather than posting stories where we are invited to guess what’s going on?.
Report Post »MakeupMama
Posted on June 8, 2011 at 4:55pm@ON THE BAYOU, unfortunately I really hate to agree… I loved the Blaze, but now its exactly what Glenn argues against. And WHAT is up with posting “Huffington Post videos” as reference???? HELLO Maybe hiring Betsy Morgan forman huffpost CEO, wasnt best pick. I think she’s taking away the Blaze that we love and turning this into another huffington post. Yuck, no thanks, big reason I hate using AOL.
Report Post »MakeupMama
Posted on June 8, 2011 at 5:02pmso that should have said formER, sorry.
Report Post »Hula Calhoun
Posted on June 8, 2011 at 6:41pmShe is also going to be producing GBTV. Is this what Glenn really wants, considering that the quality of stories on The Blaze have gone downhill in a hurry? Even Glenn has criticized the Blaze stories while on his radio program.
As far as the truth of the Syrian blogger, I think it is telling that the three sources the article used regarding the possibility that she doesn’t exist are NPR, New York Time and Washington Post, all Soros-funded media outlets.
Report Post »Rob
Posted on June 8, 2011 at 4:50pmI am worried about THIS nation, America. I could care less about the rest of the world. We are wasting time. There is an overwhelming amount of things to worry about RIGHT HERE!
Report Post »eat-more-bacon-USA
Posted on June 8, 2011 at 4:42pmA lesbian in Damascus? Gee – that’s interesting – or something.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on June 8, 2011 at 4:31pmThere are a couple of bloggers on here I wish would disappear.
Report Post »13th Imam
Posted on June 8, 2011 at 4:30pmArab Spring Cleaning is working. Now they are even taking fictitious beings for Torture. Will Bashar prosecute the three kidnappers , like Barry and Eric are prosecuting our interrogators ?
Report Post »TJexcite
Posted on June 8, 2011 at 4:05pmThere has been people who said they have cancer and take peoples money when they do not. The has been people who say they are missing family to get money. She takes peoples sympathy for good or bad.
All part of Arab spring propaganda or not, but who knows.
Report Post »Its Gonna Getcha
Posted on June 8, 2011 at 3:48pmThis is a message in a bottle to any alien race that may be listening. Help!
Report Post »shimauma42
Posted on June 8, 2011 at 3:48pmDoes it matter? If she is real, she made the stupid choice to be gay around people who don’t like it. See what comes from selfish, self absorbed choices.
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on June 8, 2011 at 3:52pmAgreed. IF she is real, she made the ultimate mistake going there; if she is a fake, then someone needs to expose this mess and find out what is really going on in the background.
Report Post »vennoye
Posted on June 8, 2011 at 4:00pmSorry, doesn’t matter to me one way or the other whether real.
Report Post »oldasdirt
Posted on June 8, 2011 at 4:00pmHer eyes are shocking blue (or black) ,her eyes are clear and bright,but she’s not there.
Report Post »bullcrapbuster
Posted on June 8, 2011 at 4:16pmIt’s gotta be a hoax. The ministers of peace would never hurt a gay women
Report Post »Obama Snake Oil Co
Posted on June 8, 2011 at 4:22pmI am pretty sure they will stone her for being gay. It makes you wonder why the activists support the muslims….if the muslims ever took over….our gay problem would be gone under Sheria Law….And the same Activists who don’t support religion….ahhh….they will have their heads severed? Well some one tell those ******** they are flirting with a deathwish upon themselves?
Report Post »On The Bayou
Posted on June 8, 2011 at 4:23pmI find The Blaze is becoming a very tired news outlet. Where`s all the hard hitting issues that had me stuck to my laptop a month ago? Boring stories.
Report Post »momprayn
Posted on June 8, 2011 at 4:29pm@ SHIMAUMA/SNOW – I’m with you. I‘ve been noticing how frighteningly epidemic it’s become for people to do foolish self centered stuff which puts them in harms way and then act surprised if something bad happens to them/put the blame totally on the other people/person….it’s scary. Most of it is just common sense. How true the statement, common sense is uncommon. Also, aren’t there more substantive news stories out there, Blaze, instead of these kind? There’s a big wide world full of more important news.
Report Post »Trance
Posted on June 8, 2011 at 4:31pmDoes it matter? If she is real, she made the stupid choice to be gay around people who don’t like it. See what comes from selfish, self absorbed choices.
Report Post »———————-
We should feel fortunate for our individual liberties in the US. If it ever did get to be like Damascus here, I‘ll expect you to go into hiding while people like me demand our freedoms no matter how many don’t like it. Fortunately most of the people in the US have experienced enough freedom to know it’s worth dying for.
RepubliCorp
Posted on June 8, 2011 at 4:38pmOLDASDIRT:
Report Post »But it‘s too late to say you’re sorry
How would I know, why should I care
Please don‘t bother tryin’ to find her
She’s not there
kentuckypatriot
Posted on June 8, 2011 at 6:43pmmy thoughts on this: who the hell cares?
Report Post »No1YaKnow
Posted on June 8, 2011 at 7:13pmKnowing the consequences of speaking out about such things in a place where people want you dead for those choices and viewpoints, why would she even be seen in public? Being a woman alone is an issue there. There is NO doubt (if she exists) that her identity was known by someone.
Report Post »IvanK
Posted on June 8, 2011 at 9:33pmPersonally, I believe this is a plant story derived by either a gay activist or the Muslim brotherhood. Why the MB? While they claim to despise gays, they could use this story to prey on the sympathies of “the great satan”.
Report Post »The Third Archon
Posted on June 9, 2011 at 2:31am“Does it matter? If she is real, she made the stupid choice to be gay around people who don’t like it. See what comes from selfish, self absorbed choices.”
Bigoted, prejudiced people do evil things to you…? What’s your point? That people like you are ********? Bravo–you’ve proved your point sir.
And Humanity Shall Overcome, No Matter What the Cost
Report Post »*************************
Posted on June 9, 2011 at 3:33amYes she existed … but not anymore. You see, something Righteous happened and Justice was served … sadly, not in America.
Report Post »jcannon98188
Posted on June 9, 2011 at 4:21amWhy should we care? Because this is important!
Say what you will about homosexuals, they ARE people. I may not support Gay Marriage, and I may view homosexuality as a disgusting perverse thing. But they still are people. We should show our support for people like her. She could be in real danger. I do not care if she is real, or fake. She is a message. She is a very real figure in the Middle East, and we need to show that we will not stand by while things like this happen. She may be gay, but she is first and foremost, a human being.
More at mindofjason.tumblr.com
Report Post »The Third Archon
Posted on June 9, 2011 at 4:58am@*************************
Report Post »If God is judging people for being homosexual versus heterosexual, He is not worthy of our worship or love.