Miley Cyrus has been criticised on social media after she told fans that she previously thought she “had to be gay” because “all guys were evil.”

The singer, 26, is currently in a relationship with Australian singer Cody Simpson after splitting from reality star Kaitlynn Carter, who she briefly dated after breaking up with husband Liam Hemsworth.

Speaking during an Instagram live broadcast, the star told her followers not to “give up” on men.

“There are good men out there guys, don’t give up,” she said. “You don’t have to be gay, there are good people with d**ks out there, you’ve just got to find them.

“I always thought I had to be gay because I thought all guys were evil but it’s not true. There are good people out there that just happen to have d**ks.”

Cyrus’ comments sparked a backlash on social media as fans claimed that the singer appeared to imply that sexuality is a choice.

“Is @MileyCyrus actually stupid?” one Twitter user asked. “Cause this is a stupid message from a stupid person, to idiots who think they ‘have to’ become gay because a gender disappoints them.

“That’s a stupid narrative encouraging the illusion that it’s a choice and a flimsy button. Are you mad?”

did miley cyrus just say with her whole chest “you don’t have to be gay there are good guys out there” like being gay is a choice i- — nico (@webofthewidow) October 21, 2019

Not Miley saying "you don't have to be gay" 💀

sis... @MileyCyrus i feel attacked — K T ‎✵ (@debnamkatie) October 21, 2019

Miley Cyrus saying 'you don't have to be gay' 🙄. — Sammijoknows 🇩🇲🇱🇨 (@SammijoKnows) October 21, 2019

“Do not speak for the community if you believe that women shouldn’t be gay cause “there’s good d**ks out there” or that they’re gay cause they hate men (also what an unfortunate comment abt [sic] feminism) or that bisexual ppl [sic] choose those things,” another wrote.

“That was awful pls explain @MileyCyrus.”

“But being gay isn’t a choice, sis? So good for you for choosing not to be gay…” a third added.

Others defended the singer, suggesting that her comments were intended as "a joke."

Cyrus, who revealed she is pansexual in 2015, told Vanity Fair earlier this year that being married to Hemsworth did not erase her queer identity, which she described as “a bit part of [her] pride.”

“We’re redefining, to be f****** frank, what it looks like for someone that’s a queer person like myself to be in a hetero relationship,” she told the magazine.

“A big part of my pride and my identity is being a queer person. What I preach is: People fall in love with people, not gender, not looks, not whatever. What I’m in love with exists on almost a spiritual level. It has nothing to do with sexuality.”

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