LGBT

Two POWERHOUSES in the weightlifting community are offering their support to Janae Marie -- the bodybuilding champ who revealed she's transgender ... TMZ Sports has learned.

As we previously reported, Janae -- formerly Matt "Kroc" Kroczaleski -- said she's concerned about competing in the future because she's worried about a possible backlash.

But we spoke with bodybuilding legend Shawn Ray -- a 12-TIME Mr. Olympia finalist -- who tells us he's got Janae's back ... and he's not the only one.

"This is a good place for him," Ray said ... "We're a melting pot of people. You cannot go out and discriminate against people."

Ray adds, "He may never be totally accepted with lipstick and a wig at bodybuilding competition. But, honestly, I don't think he's going to have a hard time fitting in with most people if he's jacked."

We also spoke with Brian Shaw -- the 3-time (and reigning) World's Strongest Man -- who says he doesn't completely "understand the issue" but adds, "I'm not in a position to judge. I can't pass judgment, I'm not perfect."

Shaw adds, "[Janae] is a fairly well-known athlete. So to have success in the arena and then come out and be honest, I respect that."

America's Next Top Model star J. Alexander thinks Caitlyn Jenner will top Kim Kardashian in the fashion department by the end of the year, but walking is another story.

Miss J. was shopping on Rodeo Drive in Bev Hills Friday when our photog asked about Caitlyn's style. J. had nothing but praise, but would like to give her some lessons on stride.

Janae Marie -- the champion powerlifter who just came out as transgender -- says she's still deciding whether she'll continue to compete as a man or as a woman ... because she's concerned about the backlash.

Actor Leslie Jordan fashioned his own style of justice by dousing a guy with a cold Starbucks drink after someone in the guy's group hurled a homophobic slur.

The "Will and Grace" star was at a Starbucks Wednesday on Santa Monica Blvd -- the heart of WeHo -- when cops say 3 young men were waiting in line, loudly talking to each other about heterosexual exploits.

We're told at one point the manager asked the men to leave, and as they left one of them yelled, "You will die f****** f******."

Jordan, who was inside Starbucks, followed the men out and started to reprimand them, and when one of the men allegedly came at him, Leslie doused him with his cold drink.

L.A. County Sheriff's deputies were called and the three men were cuffed because they refused to calm down. The men were interviewed but ultimately not arrested because no crime was committed. A Sheriff's official tells us deputies got the names of the 3 men and documented the disturbance as a "hate incident," so it's on file.

Leslie was not arrested for throwing the drink.

Kris Jenner went to Caitlyn's Tuesday to bury the hatchet ... TMZ has learned.

Kris' car was spotted leaving Caitlyn's Malibu home after their meeting ... their first meeting since the transformation.

Sources connected to the former couple tell us, Kris had not met Caitlyn. There was real bitterness following their split, made worse by Bruce who had some harsh things to say about Kris and her reality show during the Diane Sawyer interview.

We're told Kris is feeling bad that a nearly 30 year relationship has gone down in flames to the point they almost never even speak. On top of that, they share children and therefore will always be a family.

Our sources say they talked out some of their issues and it went well. We're told it got very personal ... as you know, there are multiple versions of what Kris knew and when she knew it.

As for the future, at least from Kris' side ... she's hopeful this is a fresh beginning.

Jose Canseco says he wants to show the world that he stands with Caitlyn Jenner -- and to prove it he says he'll be living as a woman for an entire week.

And according to Jose ... that means full makeup, dresses, the works.

Canseco says he plans to document the whole thing on his new Internet reality show "Spend a Day with Jose" -- which will follow him around as he golfs, plays softball, poker and goes bowling ... as a woman.

Caitlyn Jenner got all touchy-feely with gal pal Candis Cayne at the Greek Theatre in Hollywood Friday night, taking turns leading as they danced to Boy George.

Caitlyn and Candis have been spending lots of time together, and really cut loose at the concert.

Caitlyn Jenner is into safe sex, and all the bells and whistles that go with it.

Cait was passing out condoms, lube and other essentials during gay pride week last month in NYC. The video just surfaced.

She's quite the salesgirl.

Caitlyn Jenner is doing something Bruce Jenner rarely did ... smile.

Caitlyn was out at the Four Seasons in Westlake Village with some of her girlfriends and she was grinning almost the entire time, as she strolled through the hotel's Japanese garden with Jeni and Didi.

Caitlyn Jenner's gotten much looser with her attitude toward booze in the weeks since saying goodbye to Bruce.

Bruce was always very health conscious, and would only drink the occasional beer -- but our sources say Caitlyn's now a connoisseur of wines and champagnes ... relaxing with a few glasses while hanging with her girlfriends.

And CJ's not just highfalutin -- we're told she did down a few shots too at The Abbey over the weekend.

Our sources say people in Caitlyn's life have noticed she is drinking more, but no one thinks it's an issue in the slightest -- she's just finally comfortable living her authentic life.

Case in point ... on Monday she was still toasting her ESPY with GFs. #YOLO

Caitlyn Jenner's taken a ton of flak for her appearance, but now she has a bona fide stamp of approval -- from no less an authority than Vogue!

The magazine just put her ESPY outfit on its list of the 10 best dressed women of the week.

Pretty sure D.L. Hughley ain't co-signing on that selection. How about you?

Going to battle over Caitlyn Jenner could get transgender reporter Zoey Tur arrested -- a guest on Dr. Drew's show has filed a police report against Tur for getting handsy during a debate.

The heated convo went down Thursday on “Dr. Drew” ... Ben Shapiro is accusing Tur of threatening him on the show.

If you missed it ... Tur said if Shaprio didn't get his pronouns in order he'd be taken home in an ambulance, while putting her hand around the back of Shapiro's neck.

Shapiro went to LAPD on Sunday to file a criminal complaint.

Caitlyn Jenner and Laverne Cox met in person Sunday night for the first time as the two posed for a photo during a special screening of Caitlyn's upcoming series, "I Am Cait."

Caitlyn cited Laverne as one of her role models in her Vanity Fair interview, while Laverne called Caitlyn "amazing" and "beautiful."

A famous transgender calmly threatened a disrespectful critic with a ride home ... in an ambulance.

It went down on Dr. Drew's HLN show Thursday, when lawyer and conservative journalist Ben Shapiro addressed transgender Zoey Tur as "Sir."

Zoey -- who was once famed CBS chopper pilot Bob Tur -- put hands on Shapiro and delivered the threat.

Johnny Gill has declined to join the chorus praising Caitlyn Jenner for her looks.

Our photog spotted Johnny Thursday in Bev Hills ... he started out diplomatic, but diplomacy quickly gave way to honesty ... he's not into Caitlyn, at all.

D.L. Hughley thinks it's absurd the legacy of Arthur Ashe lives on in Caitlyn Jenner, who simply "put on a dress."

Hughley was in NYC Thursday and was as clear as he could be ... it's a travesty that the ESPYs passed over Lauren Hill (the college basketball player who passed away this year from cancer) in favor of Caitlyn.

The comedian didn't stop there, trashing the way Jenner looks, comparing her to a Robin Williams character.