The producers of AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL have been praised by the president of the Gay + Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) group - for including a transgender contestant in the new series.

The hit reality show, created by former supermodel Tyra Banks, will enter its 11th season next month (Sep08), and will include former receptionist Isis, who describes herself as "a woman born physically male".

The 22-year-old is one of the 14 contestants vying for the grand prize of a $100,000 contract with CoverGirl Cosmetics, a management deal with Elite Model Management, and a spread in Seventeen magazine.

And GLAAD chief Neil Giuliano is proud of the move: "(This is) an unprecedented opportunity for a community that is underrepresented on television.

"We applaud Tyra Banks and (TV network) The CW for making this historic visibility of transgender people possible."

The new season of America's Next Top Model will debut on TV on 3 September (08).