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‘Empire’ Star Malik Yoba Reveals He’s A Man Who Loves Trans Women
‘Empire’ Star Malik Yoba Reveals He’s A Man Who Loves Trans Women
The actor dispels myths about straight and transgender love.
Malik Yoba is “coming out” as a straight man who is attracted to women — and that he doesn’t differentiate between cisgender and transgender women.
In an Instagram post, the actor — who you will recognize from his long stints on New York Undercover, Empire and some of your favorite Tyler Perry movies — shares his thoughts about love and attraction, dispelling a number of myths and biases in the process.
"I love ALL women AND count MYSELF among those that find themselves trans attracted and I too have felt the self imposed shame that comes with that truth but it’s time to speak up," he captioned under a video of men bullying a man who said he has sex with trans women. "It is NOT about GENITALIA OR SEX but about attraction to the soul and humanity of an individual."
That man is Maurice “Reese” Willoughby, a 20-year-old who recently killed himself via a drug overdose after his girlfriend left him. Yoba shared his story to begin his IG message.
“ATTENTION BLACK AND ALL MEN!!! THIS IS NOT OK!!!!! This video is another heartbreaking example of the homophobia, transphobia hatred and hypocrisy WE as black folks, BLACK MEN in particular have to NAME , FACE and CALL OUT and do the work to heal!!!”
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Many are applauding Malik Yoba for bringing attention to an issue that has led to harassment and even death of trans women and the men who love them.
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Dear King @MalikYoba , thank you so much for having the courage and strength to speak your truth and so many other BLACK men's truth with their attraction to trans women and the struggles you all have to deal with ❤
— Drug Lord Griselda (@TheeGeeMarie) September 1, 2019 -
Shoutout to @MalikYoba for putting it out there that he’s attracted to trans women. Much respect, I know that has to be hard.
— TEE FRANKLIN 🔜 CINCINNATI EXPO (@MizTeeFranklin) September 1, 2019
He’s not alone tho, trans women are so damn beautiful. 😍😍😍 pic.twitter.com/ZarD9QihUu -
I freakin knew @malikyoba was the ultimate supporter but damn i was always a fan f his acting anyway but the stand he taking now means so much more thank you #malikyoba for speaking out in support of our trans women. https://t.co/lYAbPudGDj
— BallVoyeurs (@BallVoyeurs) September 1, 2019 -
Someone needs to do an article on what Malik Yoba just said. It’s a long time coming and SO MANY high profile men are attracted to trans women just like any other kind of woman. We need to get rid of the shame associated with loving us. It’s time to SPEAK UP. Lives are at stake
— Trace Lysette (@tracelysette) August 26, 2019 -
Malik Yoba out here showing yall what healthy masculinity and compassion looks like. https://t.co/tGvX4KffID
— 🤠Bebop Serenity🚀 (@IdesOfHaven) August 31, 2019 -
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Thank you @MalikYoba 🙌🏿🙌🏿 #loveislove pic.twitter.com/IhQp8hPNKD
— Bobby Ashley (@IamBobbyAshley) August 26, 2019We applaud Malik for being a true ally and speaking facts that many still need to hear.
Photo: Joshua Blanchard/Getty Images for Roadside Attractions
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