Arts & Entertainment
‘Cait’ is both trashy, touching
New reality show finds Jenner grappling with new life
Caitlyn Jenner is a reality show veteran. It shows on her new E! series ‘I Am Cait.’ (Photo courtesy NBC Universal)
Caitlyn Jenner’s explosive public unveiling as a trans woman has garnered attention from media and the public alike. Was an accompanying reality show anything but inevitable?
On “I Am Cait,” which premiered on E! on Sunday night, Jenner shares her life now — both her perspective in a deeply personal documentation that delivers a serious message about the trans community and a side of juicy reality television.
“I Am Cait”’s pilot episode starts with chronicling Jenner’s mother and sister as they prepare to meet Caitlyn for the first time. Jenner’s anticipation of meeting her mother and sister has her visibly shaken. At 65, Jenner reverts to childlike nervousness as she waits for her mother and sister to arrive.
Moments like this give a deeper insight into Jenner’s struggle with announcing her trans identity to those she loves. Although, some of these moments are serious, there are plenty of humorous instances where Jenner flat-out demonstrates how this is still a new world for her. While playing tennis with her sister, Jenner admits that she now understands why girls have to wear sports bra in one of the funniest moments of the episode. Jenner says that Bruce was a lot better at playing tennis than Caitlyn because now as a woman, running is harder. Her commentary on such matters gives the show levity.
However, “I Am Cait” is not without its trashy reality show moments. Jenner is a seasoned reality show veteran after appearing on 10 seasons of “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” and she uses the tricks she’s undoubtedly learned from that show to amp up her own series. In a purely contrived attention-seeking move, there’s a scene where Kim Kardashian and Kanye West drop by. West has made it no secret that he does not like appearing on “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” forcing his relationship with Kim to be off camera. Yet here, West utters more words than he ever has on a Kardashian-related show to give his support to Jenner saying how heroic she is for being herself. Nicely put, but a clear PR move calculated by Jenner and West.
The highlight of the entire episode is Jenner consistently bringing attention to the trans community’s struggles and hardships particularly for young trans people. Jenner admits, as she sits for her interview segments in perfectly applied makeup with a closet full of designer clothing donated to her by Tom Ford and Diane Von Furstenberg, that many members of the trans community don’t have the platform she does. She expresses the desire to help the trans community however she can by using the public platform and her voice to spread awareness.
Jenner brings attention to the high rates of murder and suicide in the trans community. She even reveals she has had suicidal thoughts herself. She reaches out to family and friends of transgender teen Kyler Prescott who committed suicide. Jenner speaks with Prescott’s mother and friends and attends a memorial service for the teen. This is what will set this series apart from any like it. Jenner’s dedication to letting the trans community be heard that they are hurting, they are dying and they are in need of support and help. It’s a message that isn’t heard in mainstream entertainment and can be a starting point for making headway on an issue that before has been floundering for visibility.
Yes, there are trashy reality show gimmicks. This is E! after all, what else would one expect? Yet there’s also heart, humor and most importantly a difference being made with this show. Yet Jenner’s intelligence and understanding of her privileged position in the trans community make the show far more than part of an entertaining Sunday night lineup for E!.
At the start of the episode, Jenner worries alone in bed talking to the camera about the tremendous responsibility she feels towards the trans community. “I just hope I get it right. I hope I get it right,” Jenner says. “I Am Cait” is a step in the right direction.
The Victory Fund held its National Champagne Brunch at the Ritz-Carlton on Sunday, April 27. Speakers included Tim Gunn, Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Gov. Wes Moore (D-Md.), Rep. Sarah McBride (D-Del.), Rep. Chris Pappas (D-N.H.) and Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.).
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
Music & Concerts
Tom Goss returns with ‘Bear Friends Furever Tour’
Out singer/songwriter to perform at Red Bear Brewing Co.
Singer Tom Goss will bring his “Bear Friends Furever Tour” to D.C. on Sunday, June 8 at 8 p.m. at Red Bear Brewing Co.
Among the songs he will perform will be “Bear Soup,” the fourth installment in his beloved bear song anthology series. Following fan favorites like “Bears,” “Round in All the Right Places,” and “Nerdy Bear,” this high-energy, bass-thumping banger celebrates body positivity, joyful indulgence, and the vibrant spirit of the bear subculture.
For more details, visit Tom Goss’s website.
Friday, May 2
“Center Aging Friday Tea Time” will be at 2 p.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more details, email [email protected].
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Social in the City” at 7 p.m. at P.F. Chang’s. This event is ideal for making new friends, professional networking, idea-sharing, and community building. This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Saturday, May 3
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Brunch” at 11 a.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant. This fun weekly event brings the DMV area LGBTQ community, including allies, together for delicious food and conversation. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
LGBTQ People of Color Support Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This peer support group is an outlet for LGBTQ People of Color to come together and talk about anything affecting them in a space that strives to be safe and judgment free. There are all sorts of activities like watching movies, poetry events, storytelling, and just hanging out with others. For more information and events for LGBTQ People of Color, visit thedccenter.org/poc or facebook.com/centerpoc.
Sunday, May 4
“The Chateau Drag Brunch” will be at 12 p.m. at Chicatana. Enjoy fabulous Mexican food and cocktails while being entertained by a rotating cast of the DMV’s best drag performers. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
“The Bubble: Queer Brooklyn Comics in DC” will be at 5 p.m. at As You Are. Queer comedians Charlie Flynn, Evan Lazarus and Keara Sullivan are coming down from NYC for a night of fun as they split an hour of standup comedy. For more details, visit Eventbrite.
Monday, May 5
“Center Aging Monday Coffee & Conversation” will be at 10 a.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ+ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more details, email [email protected].
Tuesday, May 6
Universal Pride Meeting will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This group seeks to support, educate, empower, and create change for people with disabilities. For more details, email [email protected].
Wednesday, May 7
Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom. This is a weekly job support program to help job entrants and seekers, including the long-term unemployed, improve self-confidence, motivation, resilience and productivity for effective job searches and networking — allowing participants to move away from being merely “applicants” toward being “candidates.” For more information, email [email protected] or visit thedccenter.org/careers.
Center Aging Women’s Social and Discussion Group will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom. This group is a place where older queer women can meet and socialize with one another. We will have discussion, activities, and a chance for you to share what you want future events to include. For more details, email [email protected].
Thursday, May 8
The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. To be fair with who is receiving boxes, the program is moving to a lottery system. People will be informed on Wednesday at 5 p.m. if they are picked to receive a produce box. No proof of residency or income is required. For more information, email [email protected] or call 202-682-2245.
Virtual Yoga with Sarah M. will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a free weekly class focusing on yoga, breath work, and meditation. For more details, visit the DC Center for the LGBT Community’s website.
South Asian Support Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. The peer support group is an outlet for South Asian-identified LGBTQ individuals to come and talk about anything affecting them. It’s a secure, judgment-free environment to discuss relationships, sexuality, health, well-being, identity, culture, religion, or anything that is on your mind. For more details, email [email protected].
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