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.
Friday, May 1
Go Gay DC will host “First Friday LGBTQ+ Community Social” at 7 p.m. at Silver Diner Ballston. This is a chance to relax, make new friends, and enjoy happy hour specials at this classic retro venue. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
“Illusions The Drag Queen Show Washington, D.C.” will be at 7 p.m. at 2323 18th St., N.W. Come see this amazing D.C. drag show and laugh all night long while being amazed by the stellar performances in tribute to some of your old-time favorite classics as well as the latest pop favorites. Come see the likes of Madonna, Cher, Tina Turner, Whitney Houston, Joan Rivers, Phyllis Diller, Beyoncé, Pink, and many more. Tickets are $12.97 and are available on Eventbrite.
Saturday, May 2
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Brunch” at 11:00a.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.
Drag Queen Sip and Paint Washington DC will be at 4 p.m. at Town Tavern DC. This event combines the joy of painting with the lively energy of a drag queen, offering an hour and a half of fun, creativity, and entertainment. Participants paint a canvas while enjoying cocktails, all under the guidance of a glamorous drag queen host. Tickets are $47.19 and are available on Eventbrite.
Monday, May 4
“Center Aging: Monday Coffee Klatch” 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 information, contact Adam ([email protected]).
Tuesday, May 5
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 6
Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom upon request. 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 LGBTQ+ women can meet and socialize with one another. There will be discussion, activities, and a chance for guests to share what they want future events to include. For more information, email [email protected].
Thursday, May 7
The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. 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 Class will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This free weekly class is a combination of yoga, breath work and meditation that allows LGBTQ+ community members to continue their healing journey with somatic and mindfulness practices. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
The new monthly 90’s Flashback Drag Brunch premiered at Red Bear Brewing Co. on Sunday, April 26. Performers included Logan Stone, Tiffany D. Carter and Charlemagne Chateau.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
Celebrity News
Madonna makes rare club appearance in West Hollywood
Gay icon brought ‘Confessions II’ to The Abbey
A line of celebrities, “Drag Race” queens, influencers, media, and West Hollywood socialites lined the block around West Hollywood’s The Abbey, all clamoring to get into the invite-only celebration of owner Tristan Schukraft’s birthday. The rumor, which became verified gossip, was that Madonna, the Queen of Pop herself, would be taking the stage. Of course, the Blade had to be there.
With disco balls and Abbey statues covered in pink chiffon, it was clear. This party was a direct tie-in to Madonna’s much-anticipated “Confessions on A Dance Floor” album sequel, “Confessions II.” That night, the Abbey also unveiled its remodeled dance floor, a fitting collaboration.
The club was filled to capacity with a completely open bar, keeping the crowd liquored up. Go-go dancers in black leather collars and thongs lined the room, and celebrities that included Lilly Allen, Bebe Rexha, Tori Spelling, Julia Fox, Sam Asghari, Daniel Frenzese, Cynthia Bailey, Meredith Marks, Tom Daley, and more filled the VIP booths alongside World of Wonder personalities. It was a veritable who’s who of queer folk and allies.
The lights began to dim, the dance floor began to rumble, and Madonna graphics hit the screens. At around 1 am, it was time. Introduced by Addison Rae, Madonna grabbed the mic and started chanting, welcoming her “gays.” The venue resounded in thunderous chants of “freedom,” “mother,” and “bitch.”
Madonna was not there to perform. She was there to dance. She took the stage for about 15 minutes, keeping the crowd going with her naughty and fun commentary. There is no list that needs to be provided on how Madonna’s career has become part of queer culture. Going back to her dance music roots and going back to her gay fans is smart.
Released in 2005 (yes, it has been that long), “Confessions on a Dance Floor” was an instant hit, with four singles from the album being released. The album’s lead single, “Hung Up,” topped the charts in 41 countries with Billboard calling it the most successful dance song of the decade. The album had hints of 60s and 70s flair, mixed in with dance music prevalent at that time. The music still dominates at queer clubs across the globe.
Madonna knows we need a little queer joy; she also knows that fans miss the Madonna we all knew and loved. With the nation in such turbulence, we all need some comfort, and going back to a time when we felt safer and had more to celebrate just feels good. For the new album release, she has even partnered with Grindr for a limited edition vinyl release and exclusive behind-the-scenes content.
Her night at The Abbey presented snippets of her new music mixed in with some of her classics. The new material sounded good, sounded familiar in an exciting way, and shows that this diva has still got it.
“Confessions II” releases on July 3.
Republicans attach five anti-LGBTQ riders to State Department funding bill
Calendar: May 1-7
The university that refuses to let go
Judge issues revised order in Capital Pride stalking case
New Zealand blood donation rules shift
House Republicans push nationwide ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill
From red carpet to chaos: A first-person narrative of the WHCD shooting
European Parliament backs EU-wide conversion therapy ban
LGBTQ people are leaving Orthodox Judaism behind
Democracy Forward files FOIA request for State Department bathroom policy records
-
Federal Government4 days agoHouse Republicans push nationwide ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill
-
The White House5 days ago
From red carpet to chaos: A first-person narrative of the WHCD shooting
-
European Union2 days ago
European Parliament backs EU-wide conversion therapy ban
-
News4 days ago
LGBTQ people are leaving Orthodox Judaism behind
