Marlon Wayans is standing tall after sharing his support for the LGBTQ+ community during Pride Month.
And since he is the father of a trans child, the In Living Color alum’s support for the community comes from a place close to his heart and home.
So it makes perfect sense that she would stand up and defend herself against online attackers following her initial post on Friday, where she shared photos from her recent Pride-themed photo shoot she did with photographer Parrish Lewis.
‘Happy PRIDE to all my LGBTQ+ people. “I did a photo shoot with the great photographer @parrish_lewis,” he captioned the first image, which shows him sitting with a rainbow flag draped over his shoulder. ‘PS: I’m STRAIGHT… well, according to my CISGENDER male son. I simply love and support my people,’ he clarified before promoting that his comedy special Good Grief is now available on Prime Video.
Unfortunately, her initial post prompted dozens of people to post hateful and bigoted comments, but let it be known that there appeared to be even more people who showed their support for Wayans, her son, and the LGBTQ+ community as a whole.
Marlon Wayans, 51, father of trans boy Kai, 24, responded to haters on social media who criticized him for showing his support for Pride Month and the LGBTQ+ community.
There were several people who used religion as reasoning to criticize the Wayans.
“Just because society is in favor of this doesn’t mean it’s right,” another religious person argued. ‘The Bible talks about this in recent times. You can still love your child and not be in favor of this movement.’
Another user responded: ‘You can love the child but not SUPPORT a child’s behavior…just my belief Queen.’
As part of the conversation, an apparent supporter of the LGBTQ+ community argued, “It’s not behavior.” They are who they are. So you know more than them?
The hateful responses did not deter Wayans. In fact, they only inspired him to share more photos from the shoot.
“Yes and only for the HATE WORKERS… I’m posting ANOTHER one,” he captioned a second image showing him wrapped in the flag while sitting among a bunch of colorful balls.
The war of words began innocently enough when the actor and comedian shared some images from his photo shoot with Parrish Lewis, prompting harsh comments about Wayans and the LGBTQ+ community.
After a series of backlash, Wayans returned to his Instagram page and wrote, “Yes and just for the HATE MONGERS… I’m posting ANOTHER one.”
‘As a parent of a child from the LGBTQ+ community, I show my support. Zero fucks what people think. If he lost you… GOOD! Your hateful ass never loved me in the first place,’ he explained. ‘How can you love someone when you’re too busy judging?’ Some of you are funny. I’m a troll. I’ll post all day.’
Wayans received a lot of support in the comments, including from her niece Chaunte Wayans, who wrote: ‘This is great! Thank you for always supporting me and letting me wear your clothes!’
Janelle Monae chimed in: ‘Thank you!! Happy Pride to us!’ while Tiffany Haddish and Mehcad Brooks reacted with rainbow and rainbow flag emojis.
To drive home his point, Wayans posted a third photo in the thread, only this time he showed a scary face while holding up a rainbow mask that he held up to cover part of his face.
‘You’re crazy?! “I can do this ALL DAY…but I think I’ll do it ALL MONTH,” he proclaimed. ‘HAPPY PRIDE Love and laughter will always drown out hate.’
He finished with another cheeky promo, writing, GOOD PAIN on @primevideo NOW.’
After even more hateful comments, the actor and comedian posted another photo to help make his point: ‘Are you mad?! I can do this ALL DAY… but I think I’ll do it ALL MONTH’
The Scary Movie star posted another photo of himself with a rainbow mask covering part of his face: ‘As a parent of a child in the LGBTQ+ community, I show my support. Zero fucks what people think. If he lost you… GOOD!
About two hours later, the Requiem For A Dream star shared another image of himself in the rainbow mask, while giving another head-tilted look.
‘Do I really seem to give a damn?! Happy PRIDD month. Especially to all the hateful dudes who are mad because I support family and friends,” he wrote, adding, “People being so homophobic causes repressed feelings/desires.” Bruh, don’t live like that. Come outside. Be you. About that it’s about PRIDE…acceptance. I swear I have so many more pictures.’
Wayans had a lot of people come to his defense and show their support for the LGBTQ+ community.
‘Many of you are really showing your insecurity and homophobia in these comments. He did a photo shoot, his son is part of the community, he is an ally, what’s the problem? one person argued.
Another reviewer posted: “I always wondered how he and his brother played a (gay person) in the movies, so now we’ll know.” which generated a simple but direct reaction: ‘He supports his son,?????? the problem ???
Another Wayans supporter declared: ”They better stop hating. That middle finger is cocked and loaded for all of you. (Pause).’
One specific Instagram user shared some words of wisdom after taking in much of the war of words, writing, ‘People want love and support but hate when others support OTHERS!’ Make that make sense.’
The proud father of three occasionally shares photos of children on social media, which include Kai and Shawn Wayans, the trio is seen in March 2023.
Several people who profess to be part of the LGBTQ+ community shared their gratitude to Wayans for supporting them as human beings.
Last year, Wayans opened up about hugging her trans son, Kai, during an interview with The breakfast club.
“I just want my kids to be free,” Wayans said at the time. “I want them to be free in spirit, free in thought, free to be themselves.” The more you know yourself, the more you can govern yourself, the more you live your truth, the happier your existence will be.’
Wayans shares his sons Kai and Shawn with his ex-partner Angela Zackery, with whom he was in a relationship from 1992 to 2013.
He also has a young daughter, one-year-old Axl, whom he co-parents with ex-girlfriend Brittany Moreland.