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Rap artist Iggy Azalea arrives at the 2015 Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas, Nevada, May 17, 2015. Azalea has been accused of being homophobic because of comments she tweeted years ago. Reuters

Australian rapper Iggy Azalea has been accused by some of being homophobic after comments she tweeted years ago recently surfaced in light of her scheduled performance at Pittsburgh Pride, an event in support of the city’s gay and transgender residents. Several of the events sponsors and participating groups threatened to pull out of Pittsburgh Pride because of what the rapper said.

The tweets that drew the ire of gay groups included homophobic slurs and a stereotype about lesbian women in sports. Many have called Azalea’s comments anti-gay and have led some to accuse the rapper of being homophobic.

The tweets have long since been deleted but are still archived in screenshots on Tumblr. “When guys whisper in each others ears I always think its kinda homo," Azalea, 25, tweeted in 2010.

Azalea also tweeted a homophobic slur about lesbian women. "Wondered why my butt felt like it was about to grow legs, flip me off & walk away. then I remembered i played soccer yestrdy w 5 d--- bitches,” she wrote.

Azalea was scheduled to perform Saturday at Pittsburgh Pride but announced Monday that she would be cancelling the upcoming concert following the recent backlash.

In a prepared statement, the rapper apologized for the tweets. “I am a firm believer in equality,” she said. “Unfortunately in the past as a young person, I used words I should not have. The last thing I want is for something so carelessly said to be interpreted as reflective of my character. I meant no harm and deeply regret ever uttering those words.”