I Am Cait- Season 2 - Episode 4 - The Great Debate - Transgender Universe

I am Cait: The Great Debate

The second season of Caitlyn Jenner’s I Am Cait premiered episode 4, “The Great Debate” on E! Sunday night. This season follows Cait and her pals Candis Cayne, Jenny Boylan, Chandi Moore, Zackary Drucker, Kate Bornstein and newcomer Ella Giselle as they get on a bus and travel across the country to raise transgender awareness.

***Spoiler Alert***

The girls start out in Chicago this week as they all go for pedicures. They are getting ready to travel to Iowa to see the Democratic debate and speak at Caitlyn’s alma matter, Graceland University. Ella Giselle discussed a boy she had confessed a crush on in her Junior year before going through her transition and how she is nervous because he attends Graceland University. Though she hasn’t spoken with the boy, she still does speak with his best friend Michael who will be at the event.

“My experience is not even close to being the normal experience in this community” – Caitlyn Jenner

Before departing the girls stop at Chicago House, it is an organization that assists the homeless in the transgender community and Caitlyn gives a speech. “My experience is not even close to being the normal experience in this community”, states Jenner. She handles herself really well in the speech and the influence of the rest of the gang is starting to show here.

Upon leaving the event, Caitlyn is confronted by a “face covered” member of the “I ain’t Cait” group. “You don’t speak for us” says the group member who challenges Caitlyn on her lack of understanding regarding the plight of “real” transgender people. Caitlyn is futile in her efforts to have a discussion with the masked women, as she is threatened by one of the people in the group. The girls discuss the matter as Kate Bornstein says,”trans people are convinced that they have the real truth about being trans”. Jenny Boylan talks about how Caitlyn is a “problematic figure” and that she needs to pay attention to what groups like “I ain’t Cait” are saying. Mimi Marks joins the group on the bus ride to Iowa.

The next stop is Dubuque, Iowa where the girls stop at a lingerie shop where Candis encourages Jenny Boylan to explore her sensual side. Jenny leaves with a purchase. Where Jenny encourages the girls to think, the girls push Jenny to explore the boundaries of feminine sexuality. They next meet up with Rachael Ferraro, a transgender woman who runs a charity called Dubuque Transgender. They attend a charity event for the group as the girls become casino dealers for the night.

Candis and Jenny - I Am Cait - Transgender Universe

The girls next end up in Des Moines, Iowa and Drake University for the Democratic debates. Nervous about Caitlyn going off on one of her political rants, the girls establish the safe phrase “god bless america” to let each other know when it is time to calm down. Caitlyn wonders why everyone is looking at her when this is mentioned. Caitlyn is able to behave for the most part and the girls are proud of her. Back at the hotel the gang encounters Hilary and Bill Clinton. Caitlyn seems a little start struck here as the group poses for a few pictures with the couple. Caitlyn even goes as far as to say that “Hillary is good on transgender issues”.

“look for the heart of the doctrine you are following, and if it is mean, think twice before following it any further.” – Kate Bornstein

The last stop of the episode is Caitlyn’s alma matter, Graceland University, which is a Mormon influenced school. The girls speak on stage to the student body. Caitlyn is concerned about the girls behaving at his old school. Ella Giselle gets to see her friend Michael but her school crush does not show up. Just like Candis last week, it highlights the difficulty of finding someone when you are transgender. The gang does well through the event and Chandi compliments Ella for hr growth on the trip. The group fielded questions ranging from being transgendr to religion. Most notable was Kate Bornstein who talked about her daughter who is a Scientologist and no longer speaks with her because she is transgender. With regards to religion and acceptance Bornstein says, “look for the heart of the doctrine you are following, and if it is mean, think twice before following it any further.” The girls close out with their preferred pronouns, Caitlyn – she, Kate – they and Chandi – Beyonce as the crowd laughs. Caitlyn meets her old coaches who show their love and support for her. The sports complex at the University still bears Jenner’s old name.

Mila Madison Circle Logo 1


Mila Madison  – | Twitter | Email

It was back to politics this week as the girls went to the debates. I was happy to see them point out some of the problems faced by our community, particularly the homeless. I am also glad to see them shine light on groups such as “I ain’t Cait”. Jenny makes a great point about Caitlyn when she calls her out on being problematic.  It is also good to see Caitlyn start to learn how to say the right things when she speaks. Ella Giselle is a doll and it must be an amazing experience for her to be around the other girls. Kate Bornstein really shined in this episode as she held Caitlyn in check and made a great statement on religion. Say what you want about the show, but it appears they are being honest about Caitlyn and how people feel about her.