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 The Breakfast Club radio show, where he opened up about his son’s gender identity.
The Scary Movie actor was discussing a prospective stand-up show with the working titles – Rainbow Child or Skittles when he revealed Kai’s gender transition.
He told The Breakfast Club: ‘I have a daughter that transitioned into a son. My daughter Amai is now 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 now goes by the name Kai, he revealed on The Breakfast Club radio programme
Proud: The comedian shared his prospective new stand up show would be titled – Skittles or Rainbow Child – and would be centred around his experience regarding his eldest’s transition (Pictured left to right: Kai Wayans, Marlon Wayans, Shawn Wayans)
In an interview with the New York radio station, Wayans told how he hoped the potential upcoming comedy routine would help other parents whose children are transitioning.
He added: ‘I think there’s a lot of parents out there that 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 although he may misstep on the occasional pronoun, he is fully behind 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 she – something he recognises he needs to work on.
He elaborated: ‘They know. They know I love them. They see me try and they’re like, “I’m happy”,’ said Wayans.
The screenwriter divulged that any ignorance he once had about the transgender community were quickly quashed when his son confessed they were transgender.
Continuing his sentiment, Wayans revealed he was always going to accept his eldest son and love him unconditionally for exactly who he is.
Loving father: Even though the actor said the situation was ‘painful’, he confessed was going to support Kai no matter what (Pictured left to right: Kai Wayans, Marlon Wayans, Shawn Wayans)
Support: Many viewers took to X, formerly known at Twitter, to express their admiration for the father-of-two
He passionately said: ‘I gotta respect their wishes and as a parent I just want my kids 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 with DJ Envy, Charlamagne Tha God and Lauren LaRosa, the comedian added: ‘So if they can’t get that in a household with their father and their mother, how the f*** do I send them out into the world with that kind of confidence?’
‘I’m just so proud of them for being them – but that don’t mean that I ain’t got jokes.’
The actor revealed the Kai has no qualms about the jokes he tells in the upcoming skit, quipping 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.
Even though telling jokes about his child in a room of influential people was initially frightening, the comedian persisted because of what the skit represented – progress, his children and comedy.
He remembered his internal monologue saying: ‘All you world leaders in 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 grey hair here, but these kids that we’re dealing with, they’re different.’
He added: ‘We can’t have 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 child and commended him on social media.
Viewers took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to express their admiration who emitted nothing but unconditional love for his sons,
One commented: ‘What an incredible man and excellent parent. Wow!
‘Love this. The type of dad I strive to be everyday,’ another chimed in.
‘Beautiful. Absolutely phenomenal fatherhood,’ a second wrote.
Wayans is currently touring his comedy set, Good Grief – however the star has pledged Rainbow Child will be his next project.
Changing the world: Wayans has already performed the piece in front of world leaders in the hopes of igniting change
