Marlon Wayans Affirms Unconditional Love for Eldest Child After Their Courageous Coming Out as Transgender
Marlon Wayans proudly supports his eldest child Kai's transgender journey, as he shares his heartfelt reaction in an upcoming comedy special
Marlon Wayans Shareif Ziyadat/Getty Images
Comedian Marlon Wayans is using his platform to express his support for his transgender son, Kai. During a recent episode of "The Breakfast Club" podcast, Wayans, 51, revealed that his previous daughter, Amai, has transitioned into a son and is now known as Kai. Furthermore, Wayans mentioned that he plans to discuss the impact of Kai's journey in an upcoming comedy special.
Wayans shared, "I discuss the journey I've taken as a parent, not focusing on their transition, but my own. I went from being ignorant and in denial to experiencing complete, unconditional love and acceptance. I believe this message is crucial for many parents out there. Personally, I have dealt with this situation in a painful way, but it has turned out to be one of the most incredible and humorous experiences of my life."
He further expressed, "My children are aware of my love for them. They can see my efforts and witness my happiness." (Wayans is a parent to 23-year-old Kai and 21-year-old son Shawn, from his previous marriage with Angelica Zachary.)
Wayans, as a parent, simply wants his children to have the freedom to express themselves and be true to who they are. He believes that by setting a positive example in his own life, his children will learn to know themselves better and govern their actions accordingly. Wayans emphasizes the importance of living one's truth, as it leads to a happier existence. He acknowledges that if his children can't experience this kind of freedom and confidence at home, then he cannot expect them to thrive in the outside world. Despite his serious approach, Wayans proudly admits that he still finds humor in his children's uniqueness.
Wayans discloses that his forthcoming special, which he hints will be titled "Skittles or Rainbow Child," was performed in front of influential "world leaders." He deliberately chose to focus his set on his child Kai for this audience.
“It was such a massive crowd, and I felt determined to perform this set right here because of its significance,” Wayans expressed. “Comedy holds immense importance to me. My children are a priority, and what I truly cherish. And ultimately, change is what matters.”
Wayans elaborated: “Then it struck me, all you world leaders attending this summit, consider these individuals and their perspectives, and learn to embrace the younger generation. I see so many older individuals here, but the youth we are dealing with, they are different. We can't keep relying on our outdated approaches and expect to achieve new things. So, please, let's welcome the new.”
In June 2019, Wayans publicly recognized Kai's LGBTQ+ identity on Instagram. He expressed pride and love for Kai in a heartfelt message, accompanying a photo of Kai wearing rainbow-soled sneakers. Wayans also confronted and responded to online trolls who left hateful comments on the post, defending Kai and emphasizing the importance of acceptance and understanding.
Wayans clarified his decision to leave negative comments on the post instead of deleting them, stating that he wanted to expose the prevailing ignorance. He emphasized that achieving true objectivity without obstacles holds no value. Additionally, he expressed his belief that through his daughter, he has progressed towards achieving unconditional love. Wayans made it clear that he does not hold judgment and instead chooses to show love, even towards those who criticize him. He concluded by mentioning that he chooses to pray for the haters, rather than passing judgment on them.
