Caitlyn, Candis, Boy George Celebrate Transformation At Jenner’s Transgender Naming Ceremony & Concert [Video]

Caitlyn Jenner, with best friend Candis Cayne and Boy George there to show their support, chose to make her transformation special with a transgender religious naming ceremony, reported the Times.

Previously known as Bruce Jenner, Caitlyn participated in the spiritual celebration that included a formal naming by a minister. Candis and Boy George performed.

The singer emphasized his support for Caitlyn’s public transition.

“It’s that world I was fighting for in 1984. That was what I wanted. I wanted people not to care about whether you were gay, straight, black, white, transgender, whatever it may be.”

Both Candis and Boy George are known as LGBT activists, and the singer revealed his insights about Jenner’s transformation, reported the Daily Mail.

“I absolutely applaud what he’s doing and I think it’s very brave. And it actually makes me quite emotional,” said Boy George. “He has my 150 percent support in every way. I think that the whole transgender thing is the new frontier.”

Reflecting on his past, Boy George revealed that he dreamed in the 1980s of a world in which acceptance dominated.

“It’s that world I was fighting for in 1984. That was what I wanted. I wanted people not to care about whether you were gay, straight, black, white, transgender, whatever it may be.”

In addition to making Caitlyn’s naming ceremony special with performances by both Candis and Boy George, the actress was there in her role of mentoring Caitlyn.

As the Inquisitr reported, some tabloids falsely reported that Caitlyn and Candis are dating after they attended the ESPY Awards together.

https://youtu.be/112W8q8XXKw

“It was so ridiculous. What, is Candis suddenly a lesbian now? Candis is currently single but is only interested in men, and Caitlyn is a woman,” said a source who represents Cayne.

In addition, Jenner’s insiders also said that Caitlyn and Candis have not been dating, nor do they have plans to do so.

As to the decision on Jenner’s part to have Candis accompany her to the ceremony, that choice was made in recognition of Cayne’s role as a mentor. That made the ESPY ceremony, at which Jenner received the Arthur Ashe Courage Award, especially significant.

Candis has become known as the first transgender actress to play a recurring transgender role on primetime TV, reported CBS News.

Cayne’s birth name is Brendan McDaniel, but after she transitioned, she became a performer and choreographer. It was her role as transgender woman Carmelita Rainer on Dirty Sexy Money that turned Candis into a spokeswoman for the transgender world.

As for Boy George, the singer has taken the stance that Culture Club is designed to represent outsiders, reported the Huffington Post.

“In a way Culture Club was all about outsiders — not gay or straight, it was everything. It was like anyone who was fat, ugly, big nose, glasses, ginger — all of you are all welcome,” explained the singer.

Recalling growing up, Boy George emphasized his discovery that acceptance is the ultimate goal for many.

“Even in the gay community when I was younger I quickly saw how there were kind of camps within the camps within the camps and if you looked a certain way you weren’t going to get accepted. It was kind of ironic. I was 13 years old thinking I’m going to join the gay community! They didn’t want me! [laughs]. The struggle isn’t just about being straight or gay or transgender — it’s a human struggle. That’s always really been my kind of starting point: If you’re out there and you’re odd, come over to my house.”

In addition to performing, Caitlyn Jenner and BFF Candis Cayne danced at a Boy George concert that was Caitlyn’s first encounter with the group. Jenner and Candis attended the event at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles where Boy George’s appearance was prefaced with an intro from Caitlyn, reported Us Weekly.

https://youtu.be/b4AWqx4J6sE

“Thank you very much! Thank you! Caitlyn Jenner in the house for her first Boy George concert!” announced Jenner. “This is going to be a good group. Thank you so much. Enough about me. Thank you for being here tonight. This is so much fun for me and let’s hear it here at the Greek Theatre for Boy George!”

Caitlyn received a standing ovation prior to dancing with Candis.

[Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Nederlander]