I Am Cait-cap: Snaps for the Kids

This week's episode of I Am Cait picks up where last week's left off -- Caitlyn getting an education.

Related | I Am Cait-cap: The Makings of an Icon

At the HRC, Caitlyn hears more stories from trans women, including artist and HRC coordinator Laya Monarez. who shares her harrowing near-death tale. Unable to find employment, Monarez too turned to sex work, and one night a man stabbed her multiple times before trying to run her over with his car.

Luckily, Monarez is still alive to tell her story. The same cannot be said for Amber Monroe.

The 20-year-old was shot and killed this weekend in Detroit, making her the 12th transgender woman murdered this year and the 10th transgender woman of color.

Not only do trans women -- and particularly trans women of color -- face a disproportionate share of violent attacks, but, as Caitlyn learns, they also face discrimination in receiving employment, education and health services.

New sisterfriend and activist Chandi Moore preaches about the reality before Caitlyn.

"Taking that into consideration," Ms. Moore continues, "Caitlyn still wants to do the work to make a difference in the community." She then adds, "Even us sitting in this room right now have people who don't like us for their own individual reason," which sets off a cascade of snaps from the black girls.

I fear this is something Caitlyn will never learn. But, who knows, one must learn to talk for the kids before one can snap for the kids.

Caitlyn is particularly moved by Blossom Brown's dedication to becoming a nurse. Despite working hard and receiving good grades, Blossom tearfully recounts that she was not allowed into nursing school because she is trans. But Blossom, like all of us, looks to Ellen DeGeneres for inspiration and is determined to get into nursing school eventually.

And that's when Caitlyn decides to exercise her privilege, swooping in like Blossom's fairy godmother to get her on the Ellen DeGeneres Show and secretly pay for her nursing education. Chandi, always good for a voice of reason and a subtle wig change, notes that while Cait can't save the world, she can at least help one person at a time.

After a heavy day, Caitlyn takes the girls on an adventure that includes rollerskating, motorcross biking and -- more importantly -- the debut of Caityln's first ponytail. And it's glorious:

Though not as glorious as Chandi's rollerskating look:

Not to be outdone, Candis Cayne shows us all how to fall like a goddamn lady:

Speaking of sartorial debuts, Caitlyn tries on a bathing suit for the first time, but not without gingerly tossing a little shade at Mrs. West.

No, Cait, I don't know what you mean. But in the end, Cait chooses a sassy but classy asymmetrical number --

-- but mother is not trying to get that hair and makeup wet.

My favorite fashion moment from last night's I Am Cait, however, belongs to Jenny Boylan and her motorcross tease.

Later, over dinner and drinks, talk turns to Cait's love life and whether she wants to date men or women. Though she has only been with women, Cait admits that she can "appreciate the male form" but should she enter into a relationship with a man, she would want to have "the right parts." So, in other words, dating is still something Cait is figuring out.

However, we're still getting some foreshadowing of a potential Cait-and-Candis-canoodle.

Les Fabian Brathwaite -- I Am Chandi needs to happen.