Blogging in the Middle East, however, has its own limitations. The author is mostly unable to reveal his full identity due to fear of outing himself or herself. Although this anonymity poses a limitation in terms of whether the audience will find the blogger credible or not, it opens doors to many LGBT youth and adults in the Middle to open up and share their stories online anonymously. The following are the questions and answers from the blogger that deal with this concept:
Mo.K.: Do you feel that your blog limits you sometimes?
Beirut Boy: "Sometimes, yes. I would like the message of the blog to reach those gays in the offline world."
Karim: "I don't think it is the blog that limits me but my own fears. When I started this blog, my full name was mentioned along with a picture, but as soon as I saw that the blog was actually getting attention, the picture disappeared and the full name became a simple "Karim".I believe this blog is useless if I don't share some information personal enough. Although I know that if an acquaintance read my blog, he or she will directly recognize me, I still try to limit the information shared online."
Mo.K.: Do you feel that your blog limits you sometimes?
Beirut Boy: "Sometimes, yes. I would like the message of the blog to reach those gays in the offline world."
Karim: "I don't think it is the blog that limits me but my own fears. When I started this blog, my full name was mentioned along with a picture, but as soon as I saw that the blog was actually getting attention, the picture disappeared and the full name became a simple "Karim".I believe this blog is useless if I don't share some information personal enough. Although I know that if an acquaintance read my blog, he or she will directly recognize me, I still try to limit the information shared online."
Mo.K.: While a blog is an effective virtual 2D way of expressing views and influencing people, do you think that physical interactions are moreinfluential?
Beirut Boy: "They're both very important and have their own appropriate time. Sometimes a blog post delivers way more feedback than a face-to-face meeting; because of the sensitive nature and content of the post, people might prefer to share their views online. In April of this year (2011), us gay Lebanese bloggers joined efforts and created a blog (lebidaho.wordpress.com) where people can share their gay testimonials. Again, a lot of those people wouldn't be comfortable sharing their story unless it was online where their real identity is concealed, and the feedback we got was spectacular."
Karim: "I think readers should be asked that question. While reading a blog, only part of the blogger is unveiled and discovered by the reader who is free to imagine the other part of the writer. Some people can build a perfect image in their head and therefore get extremely influenced by a guy they didn't even meet. On the other hand, other people cannot trust or even take seriously someone they didn't meet face to face. These people won't get influenced by just a blog."
Social media is fascinating in its effects on the cultural and social spheres. However, how powerful can gay social media activism be in the Middle East? We shall not speak till Vol. 2!
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Read more articles for Mo.K.:
-The Inconsistancy With Labeling: "Sexuality is very complex and differs from sexual identity. Individuals who engage in sexual activity with the same gender and don’t self identify as gay or lesbian, should not be subject to labelling as gay or lesbian..." July/August 2011 (here>)