A Gay Girl In Damascus: The Psychology Behind White Knighting

The term ‘White Knight Complex”, as defined by the article entitled “The Psychology Behind White Knighting”, states that “White knighting is a term used to describe the act of someone, usually a man, who intervenes in a situation with the intention of protecting a woman, often without her asking for assistance.” (n.d., 2024). While it seems like a selfless act on the surface, it in fact carries inherent complexities and ethical dilemmas that can have consequences for the individuals involved and the communities. The documentary, A Gay Girl In Damascus: The Amina Profile (2015) by Sophie Deraspe, looks at not only the web of deceit around the Amina Arraf hoax but also sheds light on the moral issues ingrained in the White Knight complex. Through

Arraf’s blog posts resonated with many as they offered a glimpse into the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in a politically challenged environment. However, the revelation that Amina Arraf was a fictional persona and was created by an American man named Tom MacMaster made many of her supporters feel betrayed. This behavior demonstrated by MacMaster’s actions can also be known as the white knight complex, which is deeply problematic. Zo O'Connor wrote in an article entitled “Is White Knight Syndrome a Bad Thing?” that “This role as the rescuer is often taken too far, where it becomes a compulsive need to rescue others to be seen as the “nice guy” rather than out of genuine care or pure altruism.” (2024), which is exactly what MacMaster did. MacMaster, under the appearance of Amina Arraf, positioned himself as a heroic figure bravely speaking out against oppression. Fundamentally, the white knight complex stems from the desire for recognition, validation, and a sense of moral superiority. Individuals, with this complex, often see themselves as vigilantes who stand up for the oppressed and