Black male artists who challenged gender norms before Harry Styles

"Prince single-handedly taught me that, as a (straight, cis) dude, I could be "feminine"/androgynous & still be sexy."

(L-R) Prince and Frank Ocean. Source: Getty Images

Harry Styles' recent US Vogue cover started a number of conversations about gender norms and gender neutral fashion. But as Twitter user @RINYUSHOKUU reminded people through a Twitter thread, Black artists have been pushing gender boundaries through their fashion choices for decades.

First off is the legendary Prince.

But before Prince there was Little Richard.

And let's not forget Lenny Kravitz.

Twitter users responded with their own favourite Black artists who challenge gender norms, with Frank Ocean being a firm favourite.

Pose star Billy Porter was also mentioned.

As was Lil Nas X.

As Twitter user @ByErneston pointed out, a larger conversation needs to be had about who is put on a pedestal for challenging gender norms: "Also let’s stop putting str8 white men on a pedestal for doing what TRUE fluid & LGBTQ black men started YEARS PRIOR🗣" they tweeted.