I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! Australia 2022‘s Maria Thattil has hit back at a “homophobic” message she received about her relationship with Australian Survivor‘s Moana Hope.
ICYMI: Maria and two-time Survivor star and AFLW player recently went public with their romance after experiencing breakups with their former partners in early 2023.
For the most part, punters seem to be OBSESSED with this new pairing. However, Maria revealed on October 22 that she “received a homophobic message” after she posted photos from a lovers’ getaway in Phillip Island, Victoria, over the weekend.
“[The message said] that being gay is ‘disgusting’ and all I’ll say is this,” the 30-year-old wrote on Instagram.
“Accepting myself has meant that I get to experience this level of bliss. I wish that for everyone. So if that’s disgusting, then call me absolutely repulsive.”
Maria concluded the post: “This weekend. This place. This woman. Life surprises you when your heart is open.”
Her caption was also accompanied by a series of loved-up snaps of her and Moana, 35, at Five Acres in Phillip Island.
Maria Thattil calls out bigotry on Instagram Story
The I’m a Celebrity star also addressed the incident on her Instagram Story, sharing a screenshot of the messages she received.
“Ur gay and it’s disgusting. Just be normal. [Being] gay isn’t normal. Thank you!” the messages read.
Maria penned over the screenshot: “Once upon a time this was my internal monologue.
“You can’t effect someone who has unlearned this kind of conditioning. Or make me feel shame for natural parts of who I am that I wholeheartedly accept and love.”
In a subsequent slide, Maria said “homophobic abuse is water off a duck’s back” for her.
“For many others it isn’t. Queerness isn’t ‘different’, abnormal or a deviation from what’s natural,” she continued. “It just is and always has been a beautiful part of the human epxerience.
“For many, it has huge consequences to be on the receiving end of that kind of thing but always remember — as much as it sucks to be on the receiving end, that is much better than being the one carrying hate or judgement in your heart.”
Mara concluded: “People are people no matter who you love. Bigotry is corrosive.
“But love is always love.”
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