3 hours ago
Marlon Wayans Reaffirms Unconditional Love for Transgender Son Kai on Recent Podcast
READ TIME: 3 MIN.
In a candid interview on the "We In Miami" podcast, comedian and actor Marlon Wayans opened up about his unwavering support for his transgender son, Kai, stating that protecting him is a "natural instinct" as a father . Wayans, known for films like "Scary Movie" and "White Chicks", shares 25-year-old Kai with his former partner Angela Zackery . He rejected any notion of himself as a spokesperson for fathers of transgender children, insisting his actions stem purely from parental duty .
"I'm gonna love my baby regardless of what anybody says and they should be allowed to have their anonymity and enjoy their life exactly the way they want to enjoy it," Wayans declared . He further elaborated, "You can’t beat gay out of someone. You can’t hypnotize someone to not be transgender. You gotta accept and love them" . This reflects Wayans' consistent message of affirmation for transgender people and broader LGBTQ+ identities, emphasizing respect for individual autonomy .
Wayans first publicly shared Kai's transition in November 2023 during an appearance on "The Breakfast Club" radio show . "My daughter Amai is now Kai, and so, I talk about the transition. Not her, his… their transition, but my transition as a parent, going from ignorance and denial to complete unconditional love and acceptance," he explained at the time . This personal evolution continued into his 2024 comedy special "Good Grief", where he addressed Kai's identity humorously yet supportively, and during Pride Month, when he posted, “Happy Pride to all my LGBTQ peeps… You can be a straight man and still love gay people” .
On the Jennifer Hudson Show in 2024, Wayans described navigating the "five stages of grief" to reach acceptance, crediting Kai for revealing his own strength: "They are the same child they was before, they’ve just got a beard now" . He has also spoken on the "IMO" podcast with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson, noting it took him just a week to move from denial to full embrace of Kai's identity as a transgender man .
Wayans has not shied away from confronting detractors. He previously clapped back at rapper Soulja Boy for making transphobic remarks about Kai, suggesting the rapper's comments stemmed from irrelevance . He has also criticized Elon Musk's handling of his own transgender daughter, positioning himself as a vocal defender .
During the "We In Miami" discussion, Wayans lauded retired NBA star Dwyane Wade and actress Gabrielle Union as "heroes" and "examples" for Black families supporting transgender children . Wade and Union's daughter Zaya came out as transgender in 2020 , and Wayans highlighted their role: "We need more heroes like that, more examples like that" for the community . He stressed that true parenting involves aligning with one's children for their happiness, urging critics without similar experiences to "take a seat" .
Wayans' openness contributes to visibility for parents of transgender youth, particularly in Black communities where such support can challenge stigma . His journey underscores the parental "transition" often required—unlearning biases to foster acceptance—offering a model of inclusive love . While Wayans maintains Kai's privacy, his advocacy amplifies messages of protection and joy for transgender people and their families .
Wayans also touched on his own comfort with diverse roles, stating he is "comfortable enough" in his masculinity to portray a gay character, though with humorous boundaries . This blend of personal reflection and allyship reinforces his stance: love transcends judgment .
