The musician writes a song in support of Caitlyn Jenner and uses her guitar to give back to the community.

More than 20 years since she taught herself how to play the guitar without sheet music, Monterey-based singer-songwriter Linda Arceo is giving back to charities close to her heart, like women’s shelters and Girls Inc. June 25, she played a benefit concert for Arms of Angels grief counseling center. She’s also producing a new six-song EP with fellow local artists Justin Horrell, Rory Glass, Sean Ryan and Taylor Kropp.

But when she read about Caitlyn Jenner coming out as a transgender woman, she was so moved that she wrote the song “Finally.” Arceo sings from Jenner’s perspective: “Hello world I am Caitlyn / Remember this day / ‘Cause I am here to stay.” Arceo hopes the song reaches Jenner through social media. Arceo spoke with the Weekly in her living room, which doubles as her writing room, where she penned the piece and shot the music video.

Weekly: How did you first hear about Caitlyn’s journey?

Arceo: I get People magazine and there was the article they had [“Goodbye Bruce, Hello Caitlyn,” in the June 15 issue]. The writing was what struck me: The words “I am free” and what he was doing. This is what inspired the song – how he was dealing with this. I saw the Diane Sawyer interview and that really impacted me. I watched it twice, just because it was so moving and powerful what he – she – was going through.

What in particular really touched you?

Every day, he was saying he was living a lie. And he just didn’t feel right. And I just couldn’t imagine every day feeling like you weren’t accepted and didn’t feel right. He had this big secret; he couldn’t be himself, and he was 65 years old. I felt really compelled and compassionate for what he – she – was doing, and supported it.

What about Caitlyn’s story speaks to you as a woman?

I totally accept what she’s doing, what she’s done, and her feeling that she felt like a woman all the time. It was very powerful to see the pictures of her being very proud and feminine. She was just waiting for this person to come out. I don’t wear makeup every day; I just feel like a person. But as a woman, I welcome her to the family of women.

When did you start writing the song?

What inspired me was sitting down with [the issue of People]. I couldn’t get it out of my head. This article was sitting on my table and I just kept looking at it. It kept chewing on my brain. I wrote this song from her perspective. One of the pictures that struck me was of her sitting so comfortably on the couch. The word “now” just struck me – now I’m here, this it, I’m not going to go away.

What do you want people to take away from this song?

Just to have an understanding and support that it’s somebody’s life. I know some people don’t approve of it, and I’m not trying to make a statement of anything political. Just compassion. That simple – it’s a life. Whether you approve of it or not, she’s going to do it anyway. She doesn’t have to ask anybody’s permission. So the takeaway is just to have acceptance and see her as a person. She’s just living her life.

What have been some things people have said?

A friend of mine noticed I used the line “new soul.” He thought she’s always had that soul, so it’s not new. I said, but it is a new soul. She’s left that other person behind. In this transition with Caitlyn, this is a new soul. The other one’s is not gone, but it’s merged with it; it is a new part of her. I thought it was really interesting that someone would catch that.

What would you say to Caitlyn if you could meet her tomorrow?

[I’d say] “I’m honored to meet you, and I think you’re courageous, and I support this journey you’re doing and want to see what you do next. Keep staying strong.”

You support other causes through your music – do you see it as creating change?

It’s not my focus point, but yeah, I’d like to do that. I want to give back because music’s done a lot for me, and I can do a lot of things with music. I love it when people smile and they walk away from a song saying something touched them. That’s a joy for me.

Watch the video of “Finally” on www.lindaarceomusic.com