Lady Gaga has defended her decision to wear an outfit apparently made from raw meat.

The singer has come under fire from animal welfare groups since she wore it for the first time on the cover of fashion magazine earlier this month.

Lady Gaga also wore it as she appeared on stage at last night’s MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) in Los Angeles.

Speaking about the outfit with chat show host Ellen DeGeneres, the star said she didn’t want to be "just another bitch in a dress at an awards show”.

Asked what the purpose of the suit was, Lady Gaga replied: "Well, it is certainly no disrespect to anyone that is vegan or vegetarian. As you know, I am the most judgment-free human being on the earth.

“However, it has many interpretations, but for me this evening ... If we don't stand up for what we believe in and if we don't fight for our rights, pretty soon we're going to have as much rights as the meat on our own bones.

“And I am not a piece of meat.”

Lady Gaga had earlier appeared on the VMAs white carpet accompanied by gay and lesbian members of the military.

As previously reported, the singer was the big winner at last night’s ceremony, taking home eight awards, including Video Of The Year for ‘Bad Romance’.

(by Jason Gregory)