Actor and comedian Marlon Wayans is being applauded after sharing a heartfelt post to celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride Month that highlights importance of the event, especially in these times.
Wayans, whose son Kai is transgender, shared the colorful post on Instagram, featuring a photo of him in a bathtub full of rainbow-colored orbs.
Along with the photo, Wayans included a caption expressing his unwavering support for LGBTQ+ people and an important reminder for straight men, especially those who are homophobic.
The caption read:
"Happy Pride to all my LGBTQ peeps."
"From my block to my schools to my cast and crews to my friends to my family⊠where ever you are or have been in my life I wish you all love and support. You can be a straight man and still love gay people."
Wayans speaks from experience, having been candid about how much he struggled to accept his trans sonâbut also how quickly he moved past it.
During an appearance on the IMO Podcast in April, he told hosts Craig Robinson and former First Lady Michelle Obama:
"When they went through the transition, I actually went through the transition. I went from denial to complete acceptance. It took me a week to get there."
He gave a poignant take on parenting an LGBTQ+ child that many parents these days could stand to listen to.
âWhat Iâve learned as a parent is for you to stop loving your child because of their choice and their life, thatâs a poor reflection on you..."
"...Iâm going to love my baby, Iâm a father. Iâm always going to defend them, Iâm always going to protect them, Iâm always going to respect them.â
On social media, many applauded Wayans for his take on Pride Month and how straight men should approach the LGBTQ+ community.
Here's hoping more men follow Wayans' lead.