Marlon Wayans has revealed that his eldest child, a son named Kai, is transgender.
The White Chicks actor, 51, spoke candidly about the transition on radio show The Breakfast Club, where he opened up about his son’s gender identity.
The Scary Movie actor was discussing a future stand-up show with the working titles Rainbow Child or Skittles when he revealed Kai’s gender transition.
He told De Breakfast club: ‘I have a daughter who turned into a son. My daughter Amai is now called Kai, and so I talk about the transition.’
‘Not his… their transition, but my transition as a parent, going from ignorance and denial to complete unconditional love and acceptance.’
Acceptance: Marlon Wayans, his eldest child, is transgender and is now called Kai, he revealed in the radio program The Breakfast Club
Proud: The comedian shared that his upcoming new stand-up show would be titled Skittles of Rainbow Child and would focus on his experiences related to his eldest’s transition (photo from left to right: Kai Wayans, Marlon Wayans, Shawn Wayans )
In an interview with the New York radio station, Wayans said he hoped the potential 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 relate to 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 occasionally use a pronoun incorrectly, he fully supports his son Kai every step of the way.
During the chat, the Little Man actor gets confused with the pronouns, often switching between they, he and they – something he realizes he needs to work on.
He explained, “They know. They know I love them. They see me trying and say, ‘I’m happy,'” Wayans said.
The screenwriter revealed that any ignorance he ever had about the transgender community was quickly destroyed when his son confessed to being transgender.
Continuing his sentiment, Wayans revealed that he would always accept his eldest son and love him unconditionally for exactly who he is.
Loving father: Although the actor said the situation was “painful,” he confessed that he would support Kai no matter what (photo from left to right: Kai Wayans, Marlon Wayans, Shawn Wayans)
Support: Many viewers took to X, formerly of Twitter, to express their admiration for the father of two
He said passionately: ‘I have to respect their wishes and as a parent I just want my children to be free – free of mind, free of thought, free to be themselves.’
‘The better 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 household with their dad and their mom, how the fuck am I going to send them out into the world with that kind of to trust?’
“I’m just so proud of them for being them, but that doesn’t mean I can’t make jokes.”
The actor revealed that Kai has no qualms about the jokes he tells in the upcoming skit, joking that the show will be more meaningful than a few laughs.
Wayans has already played Rainbow Child for a room full of military generals, world leaders and government officials.
Even though it was initially scary to tell jokes about his child in a room full of influential people, the comedian persisted because of what the skit represented: progress, his children and comedy.
He recalled his internal monologue in which he said, “All the world leaders at this summit, I want you to think about these people and this synapse and how we can engage this next generation.
“I see a lot of gray hair here, but the children we deal with are different.”
He added: “We can’t have our old ways of doing things and expect new things, so please embrace the new.”
Viewers were moved by Wayans’ openness and unconditional love for his child and praised him on social media.
Viewers took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to express their admiration which radiated nothing but unconditional love for his sons.
One said: ‘What an incredible man and excellent parent. Wow!
‘I love this. The type of dad I try to be every day,” said another.
‘Nice. Absolutely phenomenal fatherhood,” wrote a second.
Wayans is currently touring with his comedy set Good Grief, but the star has promised that Rainbow Child will be his next project.
Changing the world: Wayans has already performed the piece for world leaders in hopes of bringing about change