'Rap newcomer LIL MAMA has offered gay rights groups a public apology after giving a transgender male a hard time on a recent episode of TV talent show AMERICA'S BEST DANCE CREW.

The hip-hop star, who was a judge on the programme, upset Leiomy Maldonado when she told him, "If you're going to become a woman, act like a lady."

Immediately ashamed by her comments, the teenage rapper, real name Niatia Jessica Kirkland, has written a letter to officials at the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) hoping they'll forgive her.

She writes, 'My remarks were never meant to be disrespectful regarding Leiomy's gender, nor offensive to the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) community, which has been a community that has supported me in all my endeavours. However, in hindsight, I recognise that my words may have come across as hurtful. I spoke with her privately after the taping to express that it was not my intent to offend her or any member of the transgender community.'" (Source: Contactmusic)

Read on to see GLAAD's response to Lil Mama's apology.

"'While we thank Lil Mama for her apology, this incident demonstrates the need for more education around the lives and experiences of transgender people. Lil Mama’s comments during her critique attempted to impose standards of conformity for gender identity and expression — a mistake that many people make,' said Rashad Robinson, Senior Director of Media Programs at GLAAD.

'Transgender people, particularly transgender women of color, become targets of discrimination and violence when inaccuracies and acts of insult like this are advanced. Contrary to what was said on the program, as an openly transgender woman and dance contestant, Leiomy is living her truth,' Robinson continued.

'It was surprising that MTV, a network that has shown a strong commitment to fair and accurate inclusion of transgender and gay people, would choose to air a clip that includes such disrespectful comments,' said Robinson. MTV has not yet publicly addressed the comments made by Lil Mama in the episode."(Source: GLAAD Blog)