Marlon Wayans defends Dave Chappelle friendship over trans jokes backlash
"I wouldn't hang with Dave if he was full of hate. I don't hang with people like that," Wayans said. "I know Dave's heart, and his intention isn't to punch down"
By Callum Wells
Marlon Wayans has addressed his friendship with Dave Chappelle after being asked about the comedian’s history of jokes about transgender people.
Speaking to Variety, Wayans said he would not remain close to Chappelle if he believed he was driven by hate. Wayans has also spoken publicly about supporting his transgender son, Kai.
“I wouldn’t hang with Dave if he was full of hate. I don’t hang with people like that,” Wayans said. “I know Dave’s heart, and his intention isn’t to punch down.”
Dave Chappelle has faced criticism for jokes about transgender people for several years
Chappelle has faced criticism for jokes about transgender people for several years, including over his 2021 Netflix special The Closer. The release prompted backlash from LGBTQ+ groups and a walkout by Netflix employees, with organisations including GLAAD and the National Black Justice Coalition condemning the material.
During the fallout, Chappelle said he was open to speaking with Netflix staff and LGBTQ+ critics.
“Everyone I know from that community has been nothing but loving and supporting,” he said. “I said what I said. And, boy, I heard what you said. My God, how could I not?”
Wayans described the wider debate around Chappelle’s comedy as part of a censorship “war”.
“He’s just standing there and defending his front line as a comedian” – Marlon Wayans on Chappelle
“You have to be a comedian to understand that,” he said.
He added that Chappelle “wants to freely tell his jokes, and if you’re going to be anti-comedy, then he’s going to keep attacking you until you learn to have a sense of humor. He’s just standing there and defending his front line as a comedian.”
Wayans said he also views the issue through his role as Kai’s father.
“As a fellow comedian,” he said, “I respect [Chappelle’s] journey. And as a friend, I respect his journey. And for my child, I respect their journey.”
He added: “And as the father of my child, I can appropriate my feelings toward my friend and my feelings toward my child, and how we can put those two things together and I can explain both sides. I’m between them, so I can explain both sides to each other.”