Actor and comedian Marlon Wayans has disclosed that his oldest child has come out as transgender. Speaking on “The Breakfast Club” podcast, Wayans said his child’s transition has had some degree of impact on himself.
Wayans, 51, said he is still coming to terms with his daughter Amai transitioning into a son named Kai. He claimed that as a parent, he had to move from an initial ignorance and denial, to complete unconditional love and acceptance of his child’s decision.
The actor from “Scary Movie” explained that it was a painful reality and expressed the hope that speaking about it would help other parents embrace the uncomfortable truth about their children. He described it as one of the best hours he could ever imagine despite the difficulty, as reported by the New York Post.
Wayans, who fathered Kai and Shawn with ex-partner Angelica Zachary, said he occasionally uses incorrect pronouns to refer to Kai but conceded that it’s a learning curve he is hoping to improve on.
He noted that his children appreciate his efforts, highlighting the importance of respecting their wishes and fostering an environment where they can be free to be themselves.
Wayans said the family has found a way to make a lighthearted joke out of the situation with his child approving jokes related to the matter.
Wayans has delivered a comedy show related to his experience to an unexpected audience, including military, government officials, and world leaders. During the performance, he urged leaders to consider the younger generation’s perspective, emphasizing the need for inclusivity and adapting to change.
Several social media users have praised him for his comments about his eldest child.
“What an incredible man and excellent parent. Wow,” one X (formerly Twitter) user wrote in response.
“Love this,” another user wrote. “The type of dad I strive to be every day.”
“Beautiful. Absolutely phenomenal fatherhood,” a third person gushed.
