ABC star Patricia Karvelas shuts down cruel troll with eight word response after nasty swipe at her sexuality
An ABC star has slammed an online troll for criticising her sexuality, accusing her of writing an “attack article” about Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
RN Breakfast presenter Patricia Karvelas was the victim of the insults after she wrote an article criticising Mr Albanese following his cabinet reshuffle on Sunday.
“I am not surprised by yet another damning article about Anthony Albanese from the LNP’s favourite lesbian, Patricia Karvelas,” the social media user wrote on X.
‘She is so prejudiced that I had to turn RN off in the morning and go back to ABC Sydney.’
Karvelas’ answer was short and simple: “What does my sexuality have to do with this?”
Dozens of users on social media supported Karvelas’ blunt response and praised her for calling out the unnecessary remark.
“More importantly, I can think of a number of lesbians who would be furious if they were below you on the LNP’s favourites list,” one wrote.
“Think about the less popular lesbians too!” said another.
Patricia Karvelas (pictured) lashed out at a critic who mentioned her sexuality in a commentary on her recent ‘hit piece’ against Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
Ms Karvelas (pictured with her partner Peta Sirec) was attacked online late last year after saying in the early days of her career that she wanted to keep her sexuality hidden
‘Nothing. This kind of nasty stuff has to stop,’ wrote another.
Other commentators encouraged Karvelas to pay more attention to the critic’s accusation of bias in her reporting.
“Your sexuality has nothing to do with journalism and should not be used against you in any way,” one person wrote.
“Anyway, you’re prejudiced, so I’ll turn off the TV when you come on.”
‘Sexuality is irrelevant, I’m surprised you let the part about prejudice pass. That is relevant,’ wrote another.
“Your rampant political bias is the problem,” said a third.
Karvelas’ response comes just months after she was forced to speak out against online trolls who mocked the the battle she fought as a lesbian journalist who had not yet come out at the beginning of her career.
The ABC TV and radio presenter had to keep her sexuality a secret to avoid missing out on job opportunities as a reporter in Canberra in 2003.
When she first started in the press gallery, she made sure that certain anti-LGBTQ+ politicians did not find out about her sexual orientation.
Karvelas told ABCQueer in October that “every day has been a day of navigating” as she tries to keep her sexuality a secret.
After Karvelas revealed details about how she came out, internet trolls on social media posted cruel comments about the award-winning journalist, with some claiming that her Greek family was not proud of her because of her sexuality.
Ms Karvelas claimed that one of the few people in Canberra who knew she was a lesbian was current Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (pictured), who was known to be ‘quite pro-gay’.
“Trolls target me for hours with disgusting things. My family is really proud of me, thank you,” Karvelas wrote at the time.
“The things I’ve read are really shocking. I haven’t even shared the worst. Sexualized homophobia, it made me sick.”
Karvelas’ supporters criticized the keyboard warriors and called her response brave.
Karvelas began her career in the gallery, working for the Australian newspaper, before moving to Sky News, where her current role is at the public broadcaster.