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.”

By rounak