Marlon Wayans shared his journey of acceptance and support for his son Kai after he came out as transgender.
The 51-year-old artist, who previously spoke openly about Kai’s gender identity, said he found himself in a period of soul-searching when he first learned that his eldest son, now 24, was transitioning.
“It took me a whole week, and in that week I grew more than I ever had in my life,” the Requiem for a Dream actor said. People on Friday.
He added that he went from “defiance to acceptance” during that time.
“You understand the purpose of children and the beauty of unconditional love,” Marlon continued. “At the end of the day, in my heart, the only thing that matters to me is that my son is happy.”
Marlon Wayans shared his journey of acceptance and support for his son Kai after he came out as transgender; (pictured in 2023)
The 51-year-old artist said he found himself on a deep journey of self-reflection when he learned his oldest son was transitioning. (Pictured left to right: Kai Wayans, Marlon Wayans, Shawn Wayans)
The star is father to sons Kai and Shawn, 22, with ex Angela Zackery, and daughter Axl, 18 months, with ex Brittany Moreland.
He also said that he incorporates Kai’s gender transition into his latest stand-up routine, aiming to elicit not only laughs but also impart some valuable lessons.
“I have a contract with my kids: ‘Whatever you do in life, I know there’s a chance I’ll find some humor and talk about it,'” he explained, noting that Kai is “fine” with his father discussing his life. staff on stage.
Marlon also admitted that his comedy routine won’t address his intense custody dispute with his ex Moreland.
“I don’t do public battles,” he explained. ‘You don’t need to be together for your child to grow up in peace. Every child deserves it.’
In November 2023, Marlon first revealed Kai’s transgender identity during an interview on The Breakfast Club.
‘I have a daughter who became a son. My daughter Amai is now Kai, and that is why I talk about the transition.”
‘Not his… his transition, but my transition as a parent, going from ignorance and denial to complete unconditional love and acceptance.’
“It took me a whole week, and in that week I grew more than I ever had in my life,” the Requiem for a Dream actor told People on Friday.
He also said that he incorporates Kai’s gender transition into his latest stand-up routine, aiming to provoke not only laughs but also impart some valuable lessons.
In an interview with the New York radio station, Wayans said he hoped the possible upcoming comedy routine would help other parents whose children are transitioning.
He added: “I think there are a lot of parents who need that message and I know I’m dealing with it.”
“It was a very painful situation for me, but, man, it’s one of the best hours I could ever imagine.”
The comedian has two children with his ex-partner Angela Zackery: Kai, 23, and Shawn, 21.
Wayans admitted that while he may misstep with the occasional pronoun, he fully supports his son, Kai, every step of the way.
During the chat, the Little Man actor gets confused with pronouns and often switches between them, he and she, something he acknowledges he needs to work on.
And he explained: ‘They know it. They know I love them. They see me try and say, ‘I’m happy,'” Wayans said.
The screenwriter divulged that any ignorance he once had about the transgender community was quickly overturned when his son confessed that they were transgender.
Kai, Marlon and Shawn pose at the premiere of A Haunted House at the Arclight Theater on January 3, 2013.
Continuing his sentiment, Wayans revealed that he would always accept his eldest son and love him unconditionally just the way he is.
He said passionately: “I have to respect their wishes and, as a father, I just want my children to be free: free in spirit, free in thought, free to be themselves.”
‘The more you know yourself, the more you live your truth, the happier your existence.’
Speaking to DJ Envy, Charlamagne Tha God and Lauren LaRosa, the comedian added: “So if they can’t get that in a home with their dad and mom, how the fuck do I send them out into the world with that kind of confidence?”
“I’m very proud of them for being them, but that doesn’t mean I don’t have jokes.”
The actor revealed that Kai has no qualms about the jokes he tells in the upcoming sketch, joking that the show will be more meaningful than a few laughs.
Wayans has already performed Rainbow Child for a room full of military generals, world leaders and government officials.
Although he was initially afraid to tell jokes about his son in a room full of influencers, the comedian persisted because of what the sketch represented: progress, his children and comedy.
He recalled his internal monologue saying: ‘All of you world leaders at this summit, I want you to think about these people and this synapse and how to be inclusive of this next generation.
“I see a lot of gray hair here, but these kids we’re dealing with are different.”
Support: Many viewers took to X, formerly known on Twitter, to express their admiration for the father of two.
He added: “We can’t follow our old ways and expect to do new things, so please embrace the new.”
Viewers were moved by Wayans’ openness and unconditional love for his son and praised him on social media.
Viewers took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to express their admiration for someone who exuded nothing but unconditional love for his children.
One commented: ‘What an incredible man and excellent father. Wow!
‘I love this. The kind of father I strive to be every day,” another chimed in.