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, March 27
Center Aging Monthly Luncheon With Yoga will be at 12 p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. Email Mac at [email protected] if you require ASL interpreter assistance, have any dietary restrictions, or questions about this event.
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Happy Hour” at 7 p.m. at Dupont Italian Kitchen. 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.
Trans and Genderqueer Game Night will be at 7 p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. This is a relaxing, laid-back evening of games and fun. All are welcome and there’ll be card and board games on hand. Feel free to bring your own games to share. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
Trans Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This event is intended to provide an emotionally and physically safe space for trans people and those who may be questioning their gender identity/expression to join together in community and learn from one another. For more details, email [email protected].
Saturday, March 28
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.
The DC Center for the LGBT Community will host “Sunday Supper on Saturday” at 2 p.m. It’s more than just an event; it’s an opportunity to step away from the busyness of life and invest in something meaningful, and enjoy delicious food, genuine laughter, and conversations that spark connection and inspiration. For more details, visit the Center’s website.
Black Lesbian Support Group will be at 1 p.m. on Zoom. This is a peer-led support group devoted to the joys and challenges of being a Black Lesbian. For more details, email [email protected].
Monday, March 30
“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]).
“Tea Time! A Local DC Drag Comedy Show” will be at 3 p.m. at Spark Social. This is a live drag comedy show where drag legends TrevHER & Tiara Missou Sidora host spill all the tea in the DMV. This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Tuesday, March 31
Visibili-TEA Party will be at 6 p.m. at Restoration Station. Guests are encouraged to come sip, celebrate, and shine together. This event is a Trans Day of Visibility celebration and a special collaboration between Auntie’s Home and Damien Ministries. This is a boozy tea party with intention and the dress code reflects the vibe. More details are available on Eventbrite.
Wednesday, March 1
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.
Thursday, April 2
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, breathwork 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.
Unconventional Diner will host “Cherry Blossom Drag Bingo Party” on Friday, April 3, at 6:30 p.m.
Guests will be treated to an unforgettable night of drag performances, bingo, food and drink and prizes. Highlights of the evening include themed cocktails, drag performances and bingo prizes.
Tickets can be secured via Resy.
Sports
New IOC policy bans trans women from Olympics
New regulation to be in effect at 2028 summer games in Los Angeles
The International Olympic Committee on Thursday announced it will not allow transgender women from competing in female events at the Olympics.
“For all disciplines on the Sports Program of an IOC event, including individual and team sports, eligibility for any Female Category is limited to biological females,” reads the new policy.
The policy states “eligibility for the Female Category is to be determined in the first instance by SRY Gene screening to detect the absence or presence of the SRY Gene.”
“On the basis of the scientific evidence, the IOC considers that the SRY (sex-determining Region Y) Gene is fixed throughout life and represents highly accurate evidence that an athlete has experienced or will experience male sex development,” it reads. “Furthermore, the IOC considers that SRY Gene screening via saliva, cheek swab or blood sample is unintrusive compared to other possible methods. Athletes who screen negative for the SRY gene permanently satisfy this policy’s eligibility criteria for competition in the Female Category.”
The policy states the test “will be a once-in-a-lifetime test” unless “there is reason to believe a negative reading is in error.”
The new regulation will be in place for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
“I understand that this a very sensitive topic,” said IOC President Kirsty Coventry on Thursday in a video. “As a former athlete, I passionately believe in the rights of all Olympians to take part in fair competition.”
“The policy that we have announced is based on science and it has been led by medical experts with the best interests of athletes at its heart. The scientific evidence is very clear: male chromosomes give performance advances in sport that rely on strength, power, or endurance,” she added. “At the Olympic Games, even the smallest margins can be the difference between victory and defeat. So, it is absolutely clear that it would not be fair for biological males to compete in the female category. In addition, in some sports it would simply not be safe.”
(Video courtesy of the IOC)
Laurel Hubbard, a weightlifter from New Zealand, in 2021 became the first trans woman to compete at the Olympics.
Imane Khelif, an Algerian boxer, won a gold medal at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. Khelif later sued JK Rowling and Elon Musk for cyberstalking after they questioned her gender identity.
Ellis Lundholm, a mogul skier from Sweden, this year became the first openly trans athlete to compete in any Winter Olympics when he participated in Milan Cortina Winter Olympics in Italy.
President Donald Trump in February 2025 issued an executive order that bans trans women and girls from female sports teams in the U.S.
The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee last July banned trans women from competing in female sporting events. Republican lawmakers have demanded the IOC ban trans athletes from women’s athletic competitions.
“I’m grateful the Olympics finally embraced the common sense policy that women’s sports are for women, not for men,” said U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) on X.
An IOC spokesperson on Thursday referred the Washington Blade to the press release that announced the new policy.
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Calendar: March 27-April 2
Polish court rules country must recognize same-sex marriages from EU states
Trans Day of Visibility events planned
Virginia General Assembly’s 2026 legislative session ends
Markwayne Mullin confirmed as next DHS secretary
Gay man murdered in Va.
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Poland5 days agoPolish court rules country must recognize same-sex marriages from EU states
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District of Columbia4 days ago
Trans Day of Visibility events planned
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Virginia4 days ago
Virginia General Assembly’s 2026 legislative session ends
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Federal Government4 days ago
Markwayne Mullin confirmed as next DHS secretary
