LGBT

9:26 AM PT -- A rep for Costume Agent, which originally created and distributed the controversial Caitlyn costume, tells TMZ they're not yanking it from their own site, and certainly not discontinuing it ... backlash be damned.

We're told the 'stume is one of their best sellers -- it's the #6 overall bestseller. Although they have received multiple threats over it this past week, they're standing by their product. The rep says, "It's a costume. It's funny."

A Caitlyn Jenner costume -- which harkens back to her Olympic glory days as Bruce Jenner -- is getting destroyed by critics who say it's insensitive to transgender people ... and it's already being yanked from at least one outlet.

The getup is called "I Am Cait" ... and features a decathlete's jersey with Bruce's number 935, a gold medal and those teeny tiny shorts -- all of that vintage Bruce from his 1976 decathlon victory. However, it also comes with a long-haired wig that's all Caitlyn.

eBay was flooded with criticism for selling the $44.95 costume -- several transgender charities are calling it out as mocking, instead of being an homage.

The caption for one online promo says, "Show your love for Caitlyn Jenner with this awesome adult costume."

The backlash has been enough for eBay to remove the costume, but as of now ... it's still available on Amazon.

Before President Trump enacts new policies essentially erasing the transgender community ... Carmen Carrera wants one swing -- a diplomatic one -- at convincing him he's dead wrong.

The "RuPaul's Drag Race" star tells TMZ ... she's willing to sit down with POTUS -- despite their huge differences -- and make it clear to him that trans people DO exist and it's their right to self-identify. ICYMI, Trump's administration is reportedly considering a policy that would identify everyone by their genitalia at birth.

That's pissed off the trans community, including actress Candis Cayne who ripped Trump a new one. Carmen, however, comes in peace, and hopes 45 or his peeps are down to start a conversation with her.

Yes, he broke bread with Kim Kardashian and Kanye West with highly publicized Oval Office visits, but let's be honest -- Trump inviting Carmen, Caitlyn Jenner or anyone in the transgender community to the White House seems far-fetched.

Ball's in his court.

Actress Candis Cayne is outraged at President Trump's reported plan to enforce strict new guidelines about transgender people -- because she says his real goal is silencing the community.

Candis -- who is transgender and was featured on her pal Caitlyn Jenner's reality show -- went on "The Morning Beat" with Jai and Mikalah Monday on Out Now Radio ... and ripped Trump. She thinks it's obvious he wants to shut down any national conversation about trans people, and adds ... the policy change could have bigger implications for our democracy.

If you missed it, the Trump administration is considering a plan that would identify everyone by their genitalia ... at birth, according to a NY Times report. The trans community is pissed, as you'd expect.

Although Caitlyn had been a vocal Trump supporter, she's flipped lately -- at least on some issues -- and on Monday afternoon, she made it clear she's lockstep with Candis on Trump's reported new policy.

Billy Eichner cannot contain his rage over Donald Trump, and the most recent trigger is the Trump Administration's move to rigidly define gender.

Eichner's contempt for Trump is palpable ... this in the wake of the administration's move to define gender as a "biological, immutable condition determined by genitalia at birth."

Our photog got the "Billy on the Street" star at LAX Sunday, and he doesn't sound overly confident that a blue wave will sweep the country next month.

Khabib Nurmagomedov rubbed elbows with another powerful political figure Thursday night -- Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov ... a man who's been accused of some pretty horrible stuff.

The two hung out at a Russian MMA gym -- described as a fight club -- where they posed for pics, ate some food and celebrated Khabib's victory over Conor McGregor at UFC 229.

Khabib commented about the meeting saying, "Thank you very much to Ramzan and all brotherly Chechnya."

"The way I am grateful to your support in words not to describe and praise to god who made us all brothers through our religion. And thank you very much for such a generous gift and most importantly respect shown to me."

Kadyrov is a HUGE fan of combat sports -- and recently kicked it with Floyd Mayweather.

This issue surrounding Kadyrov ... dude has a very controversial past -- littered with accusations of human rights violations from kidnapping to torture and murder. He's denied all wrongdoing.

But, what's undeniable ... Kadyrov says he doesn't want gay people in his country and has said on the record he'd ship them all to Canada if he could.

The U.S. State Dept. issued a warning in April 2017 saying it was "increasingly concerned" about the anti-LGBT movement in Chechnya -- after "numerous credible reports" indicating gay people were being detained, tortured and even killed based on their sexual orientation.

Kadyrov's father was appointed to lead Chechnya in 2000 by Vladimir Putin. And, when his dad died, Putin tapped Ramzan to take his place in 2007.

Of course, Khabib just met with Putin earlier this week.

Caitlyn Jenner is being treated more harshly by her own, transgender community than the general public because they think she voted for Donald Trump ... but she didn't, according to her partner.

Sophia Hutchins says a few leaders in the trans community have poisoned them against Caitlyn, and the media just stoked the coals.

Sophia, who sat for an interview with Jim Breslo on his podcast, "Hidden Truth," didn't reconcile something her partner told Diane Sawyer ... that she voted for Trump.

Sophia says Caitlyn has had a hard time winning over the trans community, in part because they unfairly view her as unrelatable because she lives a privileged life. She blasts the media for telling untruths about her partner ... blasts them hard.

Sophia has long been an LGBTQ activist ... noting, when she was at college at the Christian school Pepperdine University, she fought the administration to get an LGBTQ club on campus. It rankles her that the media reduces her to being "a model."

Check out the full episode here.

Caitlyn Jenner and her rumored girlfriend, Sophia Hutchins, apparently have more of a mutual partnership than a true romance ... according to Sophia herself.

TMZ obtained a clip of Sophia -- who is also a transgender woman -- doing an interview with Jim Breslo for his podcast, 'Hidden Truth,' and she tells him she wouldn't call her relationship with Caitlyn romantic.

She tries to backpedal moments later, saying she and Caitlyn aren't going to get into the level of intimacy ... despite just making it clear they're platonic partners in life who do just about everything together, including live together.

Rumors started swirling last year that the 68-year-old Jenner had started dating the then 21-year-old Hutchins. Neither have commented about their relationship at length ... until now.

Breslo's full episode featuring Sophia drops Wednesday.

LeVar Burton is not down with anyone who is not down with Bert and Ernie coming out as gay.

The iconic "Reading Rainbow" host was at LAX when he weighed in on the big revelation his fellow PBS stars are a couple ... according to "Sesame Street" writer Mark Saltzman, anyway.

LeVar says it's hardly news to him -- and millions of others -- but still thinks it's a powerful step for society. And, for anyone bitching about the news, LeVar's got some advice for ya. Our photog also wonders if it's time for Bert and Ernie to ditch the twin beds and, y'know ... come together? Watch LeVar do some 'splaining.

For the record ... Sesame Workshop's official stance is B&E are not gay because "they remain puppets, and do not have a sexual orientation."

11:40 AM PT -- A spokesperson for Sesame Workshop has countered Saltzman, telling TMZ ... "As we have always said, Bert and Ernie are best friends. They were created to teach preschoolers that people can be good friends with those who are very different from themselves."

They continue, "Even though they are identified as male characters and possess many human traits and characteristics (as most Sesame Street Muppets™ do), they remain puppets, and do not have a sexual orientation."

Frank Oz -- longtime puppeteer for the show and hands behind some of the beloved characters, including Bert -- also denounced Saltzman, saying, "It seems Mr. Mark Saltzman was asked if Bert & Ernie are gay. It's fine that he feels they are. They're not, of course. But why that question? Does it really matter? Why the need to define people as only gay? There's much more to a human being than just straightness or gayness."

Bert and Ernie are finally out ... a "Sesame Street" writer is confirming the iconic characters are a gay couple.

Bert and Ernie have been on the show since it started in 1969, and there's always been speculation about the true nature of their relationship. Mark Saltzman, who joined the "Sesame Street" crew in 1984, cleared it all up by telling Queerty he wrote Bert and Ernie as a gay couple.

He says the 'Sesame' duo is a reflection of his own same-sex relationship and not about pushing an agenda.

Mark says he based Bert and Ernie on his relationship with film editor Arnold Glassman -- Mark was Ernie and Arnold was Bert.

Of course, Bert and Ernie have shared a basement apartment at 123 Sesame Street for the last 49 years ... although they've always slept in separate beds. Still, their chemistry -- while playfully arguing and bickering -- was always palpable.

Mark's revelation might be more of a formality -- the fact is, Bert and Ernie are longtime gay icons for many in the LGBT community.

Cardi B says a transphobic meme that showed up on her Facebook page this weekend wasn't her doing and blames a former "team member" who had access to her account.

The meme in question is a highly edited screen grab of Rolf from the show "Ed, Edd n Eddy" looking out of a window. A caption on the meme reads ... "I hope nobody see this tr***y leave my house." It was posted on Cardi's official FB Sunday with laughing emojis above ... but has since been deleted.

Cardi later tweeted out an explanation, saying a former team member has been the only one with access to the account for the past year and a half. She also says that her current official Facebook page is an old account -- but there aren't any other profiles of hers with a blue checkmark.

The rapper didn't elaborate beyond that, but she seems to have regained control of her Facebook account. More posts have been thrown up since news of the controversy first broke.

Prince Manvendra Singh Gohil, the first openly gay member of India's royal family, is happy his country finally decriminalized homosexuality ... but he says there's still a long road ahead in the fight for acceptance.

The Prince tells us homosexuals in India always felt cheated, stigmatized and discriminated against, just for being themselves ... and they finally have the freedom to love anyone they want.

Love wins!!!

Gohil, who came out publicly in 2006, knows the battle is far from over because the LGBT movement is still fighting for social rights ... but he thinks those goals will be easier to achieve now that gays are no longer criminals by law.

India previously had an "unnatural sex" law that carried a 10-year prison sentence, and we thought laws in America were tough.

Kesha's making a name for herself in a new field -- the wedding officiant biz -- and she just booked another couple of happy clients.

The singer was at the premiere of her new documentary, "Rainbow: The Film," at Metrograph theater in NYC Thursday night when a couple approached her and asked if she'd marry them ... and she said she'd love to!

This isn't just all talk from Kesha either -- not only did she hook the ladies up with her scheduling peeps ... but she's got a happy history of officiating same-sex weddings. She's already done 3.

Justin Trudeau braved the heat for some incredibly warm embraces at Vancouver's Pride Parade.

Canada's Prime Minister built up a sweat Sunday during an hour-long march that included hugging parade goers, shaking hands and taking selfies. Justin showed off some fashion style too ... showing up in a collared pink shirt, yellow pants and bright, funny socks.

Big Freedia says Drake made up for the fact she wasn't in his "Nice For What" video by featuring her in his latest short film ... even if she did have to get the ball rolling.

The NOLA bounce music pioneer tells TMZ she reached out to Drizzy while he was in town filming the 8-minute long video for his smash hit "In My Feelings," and says he invited her on set for what she took as an unspoken peace offering for "snubbing" her from 'NFW.'

In case you hadn't heard, Freedia's vocals were used in Drake's earlier hit song this year ... but fans were pissed she didn't make a physical appearance in visual form.

That's all water under a bridge now though, according to Freedia. She says Drake including her -- regardless of who hit who up first -- is a big step forward for the LGBTQ community.

Ne-Yo believes there's an opportunity for a hip-hop artist to be a champion for the LGBT community ... and the job's open for the taking.

The singer and "World of Dance" judge was leaving LAX Friday when we brought up the controversy over a transgender model being edited out of Travis Scott's new album cover. Ne-Yo doesn't slam the rapper -- especially since Travis' team says it wasn't his fault -- but he makes it clear LGBT models deserve more respect and equal treatment in hip-hop.

And, if someone were to spearhead a movement on behalf of those models ... Ne-Yo says they'd go down in history.

Travis Scott had nothing to do with editing a famous transgender model off his latest album cover, because the artwork he received is exactly what he released ... so say sources close to the rapper.

We're told the final version of Travis' "Astroworld" album cover was exactly what he got from artist David LaChapelle ... and it did not include the shot of trans model Amanda Lepore in the area to the left of Scott's mouth.

Translation: the accusations of transphobia against Travis are inaccurate, because he didn't even know about the version that included Lepore.

As we reported ... Amanda wasn't mad about not making the final cut of the album artwork, and joked she was simply too good looking for it and upstaged everyone else.

What's interesting -- LaChapelle echoed what Lepore said and insisted her omission had "nothing to do with hating" ... but failed to explain why the edit happened. Now that Scott's denying he had anything to do with it ... LaChapelle might have some more explaining to do.

We reached out to him multiple times ... so far, no word back.