The photographer behind the iconic photo of a 12-year-old boy standing up to 11,000 marching homophobes in Mexico is receiving death threats.

Manuel Rodriguez has spoken out to reveal he has been the victim of horrific threats online after taking the picture that went viral around the world.

Rodriguez took the picture of a 12-year-old boy bravely standing up and trying to block the National Front for the Family march in Celeya, one of several marches around the country to stop the legalization of same-sex marriage.

He revealed he has been called homophobic slurs as well, and even receiving threatening phone calls and letters addressed to his home.

‘I got a call on Tuesday calling me a faggot, telling me that I’m going to pay for photographing the march,’ Rodriguez told Universal.

The photographer said the child told him why he did what he did.

‘I have a gay uncle,’ the boy said. ‘I hate that people hate.’

When asked why the boy wanted to remain anonymous, Rodriguez revealed the boy’s mother didn’t want a backlash from members of the National Front for the Family.

Same-sex marriage is currently legal in 10 of 31 states.

The following day after the homophobic protests, hundreds of pro-gay Mexicans marched through Mexico City to show their support for same-sex marriage.