Rocker Joan Jett reached out to Laura Jane Grace after the Against Me! singer came out as transgender in a bid to show her support as she transitioned through a difficult time.

The musician formerly known as Tom Gabel went public with her desire to become a woman last May (12) and the 32 year old reveals she immediately received a heartfelt letter from her idol Jett, who applauded her bravery and courage.

In a column for Cosmopolitan magazine, Grace writes, "One of the first people I received a letter of support from after coming out was Joan Jett, who I knew a little from doing the Warped Tour together in 2006. Joan is a hero of mine and a rock-and-roll pioneer. When she started out, the rock scene was predominantly male. She defied gender stereotypes all on her own. My daughter, Evelyn, is also a huge Joan Jett fan. She asks for Joan's records to be played and adores her Joan Jett Barbie doll.

"Against Me! went through New York City on tour with The Cult in June (12), and I asked Joan if she'd sing a song with us. She and her band had covered The Replacements' Androgynous onstage, and The Replacements are one of my all-time favorite bands. Joan was into the idea!

"Singing together onstage, I felt so confident and grateful for her support."