France’s bigots are boycotting the post over a new stamp as it was revealed to be inspired by a pro-gay feminist.

In every new presidential term, a design competition takes place where secondary school students choose three images that could become the new basic postage stamp. President François Hollande then chooses the winner.

When it was revealed the new stamp of Hollande’s administration would be a cartoon style image of a beautiful woman holding up her hand called Marianne, the president praised it as an ‘illustration of youth’.

Following the release of the image, many begged the winning artists Olivier Chiappa and David Kawena to reveal who they had modeled the image after.

On Twitter, Chiappa said: ‘For everyone who wanted to know the model for Marianne, it’s a mix of different women but most of all Inna Shevchenko, founder of FEMEN.’

FEMEN are a band of topless female protestors who fight against sexism, homophobia and fascism. The leader has spoken out for same-sex marriage and against the language used by anti-gay opponents.

So famous in France, they were even parodied by a group of shirtless men fighting against same-sex marriage.

‘For me, Marianne, who is represented bare-breasted, would probably have been a FEMEN in 1789 (the French Revolution) because she fought for the Republic’s values — liberty, equality and fraternity,’ Ciappa added.

Christine Boutin, the leader of the France’s Christian Democratic Party, has said every person who is against same-sex marriage should boycott the stamps.

During the gay marriage debates that divided France, some of the most homophobic actions was sent through the post.

Gunpowder was sent to the head of French parliament in a death threat, with a one page letter warning: ‘You wanted war, and you’ve got it’

Ukrainian-born Shevchenko, who came to France last August, said she had been unaware she was an inspiration for the stamp.

‘Now all homophobes, extremists, fascists will have to lick my ass when they want to send a letter,’ she said.

Marc Naimac, the vice president of external affairs at the Federation of Gay Games, told Gay Star News: ‘One can of course use commemorative and collector stamps, or purchase exact price stamp labels at the post office.

‘It’s a lot of trouble, that one couldn’t wish on a better lot of folks.’