Homophobic trolls have constantly been attempting to take down out rapper Lil Nas X, who rose to prominence in the music industry with the chart-topping single, "Old Town Road."
During that time, the rapper and singer became the first artist to come out as gay while having a number one record.
When the rapper showed up at the Video Music Awards (VMAs) wearing a lavender dress in Brooklyn last month, the haters saw an opportunity to lambaste him on social media.
An example of this is a Twitter account dedicated to spreading a meme online comparing rappers of yesterday to those of today.
The tweeted image is of two juxtaposed photos, one of the late rap legend 2Pac in a white suit as a "Rappers Then," next to another of Lil Nas X as he appeared at the VMAs in his gender-bending look.
😢😢😢😢 https://t.co/26JcdP6tXt— Yasso.Art (@Yasso.Art) 1632768505.0
@YassoArt2/Twitter
The account made several attempts to get the meme circulating online by posting it repeatedly.
It eventually found its way to the LGBTQ Nation Heroes Award nominee, but instead of responding to it with indignation, Lil Nas X wrote:
"Can y'all please stop spreading this!"
But it wasn't a final directive.
He posted an updated version of the meme with a photo of him in a slightly different pose and tweeted:
"Spread this one instead, it's a much better angle."
can y’all please stop spreading this! spread this one instead, it’s a much better angle. https://t.co/YMgu7q1J1u https://t.co/ZNdKwgwpOC— MONTERO 🦋 (@MONTERO 🦋) 1632766328.0
Here is the rapper's preferred look.
@LilNasX/Twitter
Fans were here for his clap back.
@LilNasX Considering both of these rappers support LGBTQ. I see 2 Kings here of their eras. Hell Tupac LOVED severa… https://t.co/bTkv9YCd4V— Elvis - YOUR Lich King (@Elvis - YOUR Lich King) 1632767064.0
Fans also reminded haters this was hardly a trailblazing red carpet look.
They pointed to the flamboyantly glamorous looks of fashion icon and androgynous rocker legend, Prince, as an example.
@LilNasX All the older adults who bash @LilNasX and are so worried about their children… remember Prince? https://t.co/V277J8RUsG— liv ✍🏾 (@liv ✍🏾) 1632767011.0
@YassoArt2 @whimsicxlgirl @LilNasX Have you ever heard of a guy named prince, who predated TuPac, sir??? https://t.co/dBJfLHJd4k— Vic Parra (@Vic Parra) 1632772779.0
@livineuphoria @LilNasX I could add onto this for days https://t.co/UwBKp540pN— Nope (@Nope) 1632792247.0
@LilNasX It's so funny, because I remember back then, the press was obsessed with what outrageous thing Dennis Rodm… https://t.co/8OcDMb3QR5— Jeremy Williams 🐯☯️ (@Jeremy Williams 🐯☯️) 1632767029.0
@LilNasX What about these rappers y’all?!? The gay agenda was never mentioned when these legends were at the forefr… https://t.co/TezwnOitGL— KRIS (@KRIS) 1632833674.0
@YassoArt2 @whimsicxlgirl @LilNasX Rappers BEEN dressing flamboyantly, learn your history https://t.co/TNJungmnxU— Ah, to be young and in shorts... (@Ah, to be young and in shorts...) 1632771602.0
Some even unearthed the infamous bathtub photo taken by famed photographer David Lachapelle to prove 2Pac was no stranger to provocative looks.
@YassoArt2 @whimsicxlgirl @LilNasX KKKKK AMOOOOO MUITO https://t.co/DA3jtnYVxg— andreza (@andreza) 1632791966.0
@LilNasX Also rappers then. https://t.co/ZuZdVwKPEK— Krystal Karrington (@Krystal Karrington) 1632774231.0
@LilNasX They're so clearly trying to get him to recreate the bathtub photoshoot, they're not slick with it at all. https://t.co/fWZlIljr3J— industry maybe🦋 (@industry maybe🦋) 1632767568.0
@YassoArt2 Here's Tupac in a corset. https://t.co/uvTSsJi2KK— Margot (@Margot) 1632779861.0
@YassoArt2 Leather daddy https://t.co/YAsdG0jIvh— Margot (@Margot) 1632781028.0
This Twitter user suggested we dispense with the stigma of non-conforming gender looks in general.
@holdthegender @LilNasX We need more men in skirts and dresses.— Di_Angelo (@Di_Angelo) 1632778279.0
And another user suggested Lil Nas use a photo from his appearance at 2019's Variety Hitmaker Brunch where he was decked out in all blazing orange.
@LilNasX spread this instead pls https://t.co/egc2tzntiI— Pranto 💫 (@Pranto 💫) 1632766406.0
Even the artist gave his stamp of approval as a good alternative.
@notpranto pranto 💀— MONTERO 🦋 (@MONTERO 🦋) 1632768377.0
When it comes to mocking Lil Nas X, the rapper proved haters are no match for his fabulous wit.