It’s nearly impossible to scroll through Instagram on Valentine’s Day without finding posts of people kissing their significant others.
It's a trend French fashion designer Simon Porte Jacquemus also contributed to, posting a picture of himself sharing an intimate moment with his husband, Marco Maestri, on the official page for his label, Jacquemus.
Jacquemus and Maestri got married in June of 2021, after being together for four years.
The sweet post received over 600 thousand likes.
Most people couldn't hold back their love for the happy couple in the comment section, which included a shout-out from Gigi Hadid, one of Jacquemus’ numerous celebrity clients.
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However, not all the comments were celebratory of Jacquemus' love for his husband.
A number of people shamed Jacquemus for sharing a picture of a same-sex kiss, with posts filled with vomiting emojis.
But Jacquemus refused to take all the hate directed towards him and Maestri sitting down, returning to Instagram in a defiant clap back.
The post featured a screenshot of a woman making a comment on how she no longer wanted to buy a Jacquemus bag after seeing his earlier picture, to which Jacquemus had a short and succinct message in the post's caption:
"I don't need your homophobic point of view."
"And my bags don't need you."
He ended the caption by simply saying "Dégage," translating to "clear".
He clapped back at the troll even further in the body of the post, making it clear to her he was not the only gay employee working for his brand.
"If you know how many gays are working at Jacquemus."
"We don't want you as a homophobic potential client."
"You don't deserve our products, period."
He had even more to say in an Instagram story, featuring the picture which provoked all the hatred, saying how he almost feels it's his duty to share his love for his husband to the world, particularly for other young gay men looking for a role model.
"I'm happy we're having somehow this painful conversation."
"I grew up without gay couple figures, and I know how important it is to be one of this example for the young kids out there."
"We will fight for them, to show that love always wins."
"I will keep posting pictures of love. Always."
"You are beautiful, never forget that."
In subsequent Instagram stories, he simply and proudly announced "I'm gay!" and asked all the trolls to stop putting vomit emojis under the post of him kissing Maestri, urging them to "read a book" instead.
Jacquemus' clap back received a standing ovation from his Instagram followers, with at least a few expressing how his defiant post only made them want to buy his products more.
@Jacquemus/Instagram
@Jacquemus/Instagram
@Jacquemus/Instagram
@Jacquemus/Instagram
@Jacquemus/Instagram
The Jacquemus brand has been noted for its outspoken pro-LGBTQ+ stance, including using several same sex couples in their advertising campaigns.
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