Marlon Wayans has publicly defended his friend Dave Chappelle amidst criticism for the comedian's jokes about the transgender community. Wayans, who is a father to a transgender child, believes that Chappelle does not harbor hate and that his comedic expression is not meant to offend. In an interview with Variety, Wayans stated, 'I wouldn't hang with Dave if he was full of hate,' highlighting his understanding of both his child's journey and Chappelle's as a comedian. He emphasized that comedy should be free and that Chappelle's intent is to provoke thought rather than to demean. Wayans is currently touring and preparing material for his upcoming comedy special, which focuses on his personal experiences as a parent. He has received positive feedback from audience members, particularly parents of transgender children, who appreciate his candidness on the subject. Chappelle has faced significant backlash since his 2021 Netflix special, 'The Closer,' which many found offensive, leading to protests from Netflix employees. Despite the controversy, Chappelle maintains that he has always been treated kindly by transgender individuals he knows.