LGBT

Some of the biggest stars in the NFL are gay ... they're just not ready to come out publicly yet ... so says Super Bowl champ-turned-LGBT activist Brendon Ayanbadejo.

Let's face it ... none of the NFL players who have come out have really been top tier guys -- so we asked Brendon if we'll ever see an openly gay man achieve that household name recognition ... a la Peyton, Brady, Watt, etc.

That's when Brendon -- who's a big deal in the LGBT community -- told us those superstar guys already exist ... but they just don't feel ready to share their sexual orientation with the world.

Cyndi Lauper won't be following in Bruce Springsteen's footsteps and protesting North Carolina's passage of the HB2 law ... not by boycotting concerts there anyway.

Cyndi, an active supporter of LGBT rights, has what sounds like a pretty surprising reaction to laws like HB2. She was in L.A. on Monday when she was asked if she'd pull the plug on shows -- a la Bruce and Bryan Adams?

Caitlyn Jenner is learning what it means to be a woman -- she's learning how to fake an orgasm.

Check out the video for an upcoming episode of "I Am Cait" ... where Jenner and crew visit a gender-free orgasm workshop.

It's awkward but watchable ... like an ambulance at an accident scene.

Former world champion Shane Mosley says he'd love to have a rematch with Manny Pacquiao ... this time to pummel his face in the name of gay rights.

Mosley and his GF were on their way out to NYC to watch Manny fight Tim Bradley on Saturday night -- despite calls for protest -- but say they don't support Manny's views on gay people.

In fact, Shane (with some coaxing from his GF) told us he's down to get in the ring with Manny again ... and this time, he'd fight in HONOR of gay rights.

Bruce Springsteen just joined the fight against North Carolina's new anti-LGBT law by pulling the plug on an upcoming concert.

The Boss just announced he won't perform Sunday in Greensboro due to the passage of HB2 -- a law that forces transgender people to choose the bathroom that matches their birth certificate. It also limits the rights of LGBT people to sue over workplace violations.

Bruce said the law was drafted and passed by "people who cannot stand the progress our country has made in recognizing the human rights of all of our citizens."

He added, "Some things are more important than a rock show and this fight against prejudice and bigotry -- which is happening as I write -- is one of them."

Fans who had tickets to Sunday's show can get a full refund.

Manny Pacquiao has a new fight on his hands ... courtesy of the Village People -- 'cause the original cowboy is calling for a BOYCOTT of Manny's fight over his anti-gay comments.

Michael Sam says he's returning to his old Missouri stomping grounds, not to get ready for the NFL ... but to fight a controversial bill that some have deemed anti-gay.

Stevie J is tearing into his baby mama Mimi Faust for coming out as a lesbian, because he's not cool with their 6-year-old daughter being raised by 2 women.

Stevie tells TMZ he doesn't condone Mimi's new relationship with GF, Chris. Mimi came out on Monday night's episode of "Love & Hip-Hop: Atlanta." He says he doesn't want his little girl being raised in a lesbian household, and thinks that's only a job for a dad and a mom.

Even more shade -- Stevie thinks Mimi's only deciding to be lesbian for a good story line on 'LHHA.'

Mike Tyson has a strong message for Manny Pacquiao -- YOU "SHOULD BE F**KING BARRED FROM THE GROVE!!!"

Tyson blasted Pacquiao at LAX friday ... telling TMZ Sports the comments Manny made about gay people was "totally disrespectful of other people's feelings."

As we previously reported, Manny said gay people were worse than animals and later quoted a bible verse that suggested gay people should be put to death.

Tyson explained that a lot of people share Manny's religious views about homosexuality -- but you have to RESPECT the feelings of other people ... and Manny didn't do that.

BTW, we also asked Tyson if he had any advice for Jon Jones -- and he weighed in on that too.

Check out the clip.

Manny Pacquiao doesn't care that he was "banned" from the famous Grove shopping center in L.A. -- the boxer tells TMZ Sports ... I'M STILL GONNA GO ANYWAY!!!

Big day for Caitlyn Jenner ... she just teed off in her 1st golf tournament as a woman -- and SMASHED her first shot right down the fairway.

Jenner is participating in the ANA Inspiration Pro-Am in Rancho Mirage, CA -- playing in the same foursome as U.S. soccer legend, Abby Wambach.

Omarosa is ripping into CNN's Don Lemon over an on-air feud -- but she did it by dropping a word many will take as a homophobic attack.

Omarosa was leaving the Staples Center in L.A. when we asked what she thought of Lemon -- who is gay -- cutting her microphone when she was on his show last week.

At first, she dismissed him as a "drama queen" ... but then she repeats her diss without the word "drama" -- and she did it multiple times.

After this, we're guessing Lemon won't be inviting her back for round 2 -- though it would make great TV.

Andre Berto is adamant he did NOT call Victor Ortiz a "f*g" during a fight at their press conference this week -- telling TMZ Sports, "I respect gay people."

Rosie O'Donnell's brother, New York State Assemblyman Daniel O'Donnell, just took the floor of the assembly and claimed mixed martial arts is like gay porn, but without a climax.

O'Donnell opposes a bill that would legalize MMA in New York. He believes the sport is thinly-veiled erotica, telling his colleagues, "Two half-naked hot men rolling around in a cage trying to dominate each other. It's basically gay porn, only with a different ending."

He went on to say his famous sister was for lifting the MMA ban in New York, but he feared it would trigger a rise in violence and gambling among young people, adding he was going home "to take a long shower" after discussing the prospect of legalizing MMA.

The assemblyman, who is gay, went on to call MMA "an alleged sport."

Matthew Titone, another openly gay Assemblyman, cracked a different gay joke during the hearing.

Manny Pacquiao has been banned from the popular L.A. shopping center The Grove -- again -- all because of his "statements of hatred" against gay people ... TMZ Sports has learned.

The Westboro Baptist Church is just a bunch of "awful people" ... and Charles Barkley says he hopes they all get their asses kicked for boycotting an openly gay basketball player.

We asked Sir Charles how he felt about the church targeting Seton Hall's Derrick Gordon -- the first openly gay man to play in the NCAA tournament ... and Chuck went off!!!

"I really hate them sumbitches," Barkley said ... "Hopefully, somebody will beat the hell out of those Westboro people."