LGBT

If you’re wondering where Caitlyn Jenner picked up that sexy satin corset for her big cover reveal, look no further than West Hollywood’s Trashy Lingerie.

We found out Jenner’s stylist went to the famous lingerie shop three weeks ago looking for a specific type of corset. We’re told the stylist bought 3 corsets for the VF cover shoot – 2 satin ones that lace up the back, and 1 lacy number that was special ordered.

The shop’s plain, satin nude Edy Corset won top honor, along with matching high-waisted panties … in a size large. The cup size? A healthy 36B.

The stylist dropped $1,030 total for all three looks.

Caitlyn Jenner will make her first major public appearance at one of the biggest events in all of sports -- The ESPYS -- where she's set to receive one of the highest honors the network hands out.

Jenner -- who was an Olympic champion back when she was a he -- says ESPN has chosen her as the winner of the Arthur Ashe Courage Award.

According to ESPN, the award is given to those who truly personify the spirit of tennis great Arthur Ashe -- someone who shows "strength in the face of adversity, courage in the face of peril and the willingness to stand up for their beliefs no matter what the cost."

Previous winners include Muhammad Ali, Stuart Scott, Jim Valvano, Robin Roberts, Nelson Mandela and Michael Sam.

The ESPYS are set to go down in L.A. on July 15th -- and Caitlyn, along with her 10 children and stepchildren, are expected to be on stage when she gets the award.

Caitlyn Jenner did not spell her first name with a "K" because she wants a clean break from the Kardashian moniker ... TMZ has learned.

Sources closely associated with Bruce tell us Caitlyn wants to make it clear to her family and the world ... she is her own person. That sounds obvious, but we're told it was an extremely meaningful choice for her ... she has never been her own person before, and becoming part of the Kardashian brood would undermine her goal.

Caitlyn Jenner did not want the world to see a demure version of herself ... she chose a sexy photo because once the shock wears off, people will be more accepting.

Sources closely associated with Caitlyn tell TMZ, she gave a lot of thought to her first public image. She felt if she posed in something modest, like a dress, people would not be satisfied and the mystery would prevent her from leading any kind of a normal life.

We're told Caitlyn chose an extremely sexy, revealing outfit because now that the public's curiosity is satisfied, it will not be a shock when she goes out in normal streetwear.

West Hollywood's most famous gay bar is ready for even more exposure ... and we're not talking about the dancers in banana hammocks -- The Abbey is getting its own reality TV show.

Sources tell TMZ a production company is currently developing a series that focuses on the fabulous employees of The Abbey -- a two-time winner of LOGO's “Best Gay Bar In The World" award, by the way.

Think "Vanderpump Rules" ... with way more flare.

We’re told shoot dates haven't been set yet -- so no rush to reserve a table -- but the production company already has a network lined up to air the show.

We know what 10% of you (according to Kinsey) are thinking, and yes ... they will be auditioning for some new employees before shooting.

Michael Sam -- defensive end and ... Grand Marshal? Maybe ... because Montreal Pride organizers tell us they're so pumped over Sam's signing, they want him to be a guest of honor at their gay pride parade.

With Sam signing on to play for the Montreal Alouettes, Jean-Sébastien Boudreault -- the VP of Montreal Pride, one of the largest gay pride events in the world -- tells TMZ Sports they are hoping to get Sam involved with their organization to help him feel at home in Canada.

Boudreault tells us, "We will be seeking him to be an honorary guest during Pride. We would love for him to be honored during Montreal Pride and to make him welcome to the City."

As for whether or not Sam's sexual orientation will have any affect on his CFL career, Boudreault says, "As long as you are good at what you do, it should never be an obstacle."

Michael Sam can once again say he is a professional football player, just not in the NFL ... instead he'll be balling in the Canadian Football League.

Sam signed a two-year deal with the Montreal Alouettes on Friday, after getting cut by the St. Louis Rams and the Dallas Cowboys.

Alouettes GM Jim Popp says, "With the signing of Michael Sam, we have become a better organization today. Not only have we added an outstanding football player, we have added even a better person that brings dignity, character, and heart to our team."

Sam says ... "I cannot wait to put on the pads, get back on the field and work hard each and every day with my teammates to bring a Grey Cup to the great fans here in Montreal."

Michael has told us he thinks the fact he's openly gay prevented him from getting a fair shake on an NFL roster.

Taye Diggs dabbled in male prostitution and cross-dressing during his high school days -- OR you're about to see Taye yank a photog's chain really hard ... either way, this clip is awesome.

First, the serious part -- Taye is set to become the first African-American to play the iconic lead role in "Hedwig and the Angry Inch" on Broadway. Neil Patrick Harris, Michael C. Hall, and John Cameron Mitchell have previously played the role.

Our camera guy saw Diggs leaving the gym in LA ... and asked how he was prepping for the role. You gotta see the story Taye spins about "ass play" and working the streets in 10th and 11th grade. Great improv ... made funnier by the photog not getting the joke.

Taye does finally cop to being excited to let out his inner "flaming homosexual."

Should be interesting ...

The L.A. Dodgers have announced the team is bringing back LGBT night at Dodger Stadium next month ... with a bunch of huge stars including Lance Bass.

It's the 3rd time the Dodgers are hosting the event -- all set to go down on June 19th when the Dodgers take on the San Francisco Giants.

The team says Lisa Vanderpump will throw out the first pitch.

Openly gay country music singer Ty Herndon will perform the national anthem.

Former Dodgers player Billy Bean -- who came out after his playing days were over -- will also be a part of the event.

The Dodgers say they are also partnering up with GYM Sportsbar -- the first and only gay sports bar in Los Angeles -- in promoting the event.

Kris Jenner broke down as she confronted Bruce Jenner during their "talk" ... essentially saying their relationship was a lie.

With smeared mascara, Kris seemed genuinely hurt during Monday night's "About Bruce: Part 2" special ... that she was the last person to whom Bruce told "the truth."

Bruce Jenner got support from 2 of his ex-wives as they watched the west coast feed of the Diane Sawyer special, but if you think Kris Jenner's absence is meaningful, you'd be wrong.

Linda Thompson, Bruce's second wife and former GF of Elvis, belatedly posted the pic for an op-ed piece she had posted hours after the interview aired. Thompson is writing her memoir and she included intimate details about her marriage to Bruce in the piece.

The pic also features first wife Chrystie Crownover, who was married to Jenner when he won gold in the Olympics. They all watched the west coast feed at daughter Casey's house.

12:30 PM PST -- TMZ spoke with London's alleged attacker Blake Tinsley who tells us he never touched the mistress and the whole thing started when she smacked him in the face with her hair while walking by ... Blake says it was a friend of his who stood up for him and the two traded blows.

The transgender female who claimed she had a relationship with Hank Baskett is filing a police report, saying she was attacked in a gay bar by Kendra Wilkinson fans who were out for revenge.

Ava London is currently telling Modesto Police that she was inside a gay bar called Climax when a man and a woman attacked her. She says they pummeled her and pulled her weave out, screaming she was a "homewrecker" and a "ho."

Hank's camp has acknowledged he "hung out with" with Ava.

The guy who took credit for the attack posted the above video of the aftermath and wrote, "LOL, the #husbandf***er Ava got told she's a hoe today and she/he went crazy."

The host of VH1's "Couples Therapy" says she desperately wants to get WNBA star Brittney Griner and her fiancee Glory Johnson on the show ... telling TMZ Sports they "need a hell of a lot of work."

Both Brittney and Glory were arrested last week for attacking each other in their AZ home -- and Dr. Jenn Berman says the show would be the perfect place for them to work out their issues before they tie the knot.

Dr. Berman -- a former rape and domestic violence counselor -- also says domestic violence is a serious problem in the gay and lesbian community because they tend to hide it more often.

"There's a lot of shame in the gay community when there is domestic violence because there is a kind of a sense of 'Hey, we've been fighting to be recognized as a couple and now we have this?!'"

Berman also offers the couple advice -- but says she could be most effective if Griner and Johnson agree to get her help in person ... on Season 6.

Message to any transgender rappers -- do NOT follow Bruce Jenner's lead, 'cause hip-hop culture's not ready for that kinda thing ... at least according to hip-hop legend Erick Sermon.

We got Sermon -- one half of rap pioneers EPMD -- in NYC, and when we asked if hip-hop would welcome a transgender performer at this point ... he went on a rant.

Sermon said, "They're taking the culture too far. It's just too far to be going."

You've gotta watch ... it's a bit puzzling -- Sermon criticizes Bruce for the timing of his announcement ... then applauds him for potentially helping transgenders who might be suicidal.

As for the whole transgender rapper thing -- check out his Michael Sam metaphor.

Isaiah Washington's on a guerrilla marketing campaign to spread the word about his new movie to the LGBT community, and he went all in -- maybe not all in -- by partying at a legendary gay bar.

Washington hit up Rage nightclub in West Hollywood (one of the biggest gay bars in town) this past weekend promoting "Blackbird" with his co-star Gary LeRoi Gray. We're told he was drinking and dancing ... having a great time.

The irony can't be overstated -- Isaiah was famously fired from "Grey's Anatomy" for using a homophobic slur during a blow up with T.R. Knight.

To be fair, that was 8 years ago ... and sources connected to "Blackbird" tell us Washington's role in the film is "not about redemption" -- he really just feels strongly about the movie's powerful message. It's centered around a gay African American man growing up in a small town.

We're told Washington's been totally on board with the plan to promote in the LGBT community -- and it shows.

Bruce Jenner's docuseries will have plenty of serious, eye-opening moments, but there will also be plenty of fun, including how Bruce will adapt his golf game with newly-formed breasts.

Sources connected with the production tell TMZ, the goal of the 8-part docuseries is to educate people and provide hope and inspiration for those going through the challenges Bruce has faced. But as one source put it, "If all you have is a downer, you don't have a show."

So we're told the show will have a balance, showing "the dark moments, the lighthearted moments and moments that are just plain hilarious."

Our production sources say Bruce's golf game will be front and center. Bruce is a great golfer, and apparently it's not an easy transition to swing with breasts.

There will also be a social aspect to the show. You'll recall Bruce mentioned he sometimes has wine and cheese parties with his girlfriends. That's on the table for the program, although nothing is set in stone.

We're also told the cosmetic side of Bruce's transition will be represented.

As a production source said, "There will be a happy medium. Bruce has a great sense of humor and it will be showcased. But the show will deal with the very serious issues Bruce is committed to showing."

Our opinion ... that's exactly what the show should be -- it's not a tragic story, it's a life story.