'The Walking Dead' actor Khary Payton proudly announced that his 11-year-old son is transgender in an Instagram post
- Khary Payton, Ezekiel in "The Walking Dead," celebrated his transgender son Karter, 11, on Instagram on Tuesday.
- Payton wrote: "You see, he was born female but has always identified as a boy. He thought it would be cool if I announced it on social media."
- Payton continued: "This is his journey, and I am here for it. I hope you all have the opportunity to feel the unquenchable love that I am feeling right now."
- Celebrities including Payton's "The Walking Dead" costar Samantha Morton and "Star Wars" actor Mark Hamill commented their support for Karter.
- Payton's wife, Stacy Reed Payton, also posted to Instagram, writing: "When he was born we thought he was a girl. We were mistaken. He is a boy. A smart, funny, brave, loving, magnificent boy."
"The Walking Dead" actor Khary Payton introduced his 11-year-old transgender son Karter to the world in a heartfelt Instagram post.
In the post shared on Tuesday, Payton put up a photo of Karter and wrote: "This my kid. One of the most happy, well-adjusted individuals I've ever known. My son, Karter. Karter with a K because it reminded him of my name. He chose it.
"You see, he was born female but has always identified as a boy. He thought it would be cool if I announced it on social media. I told him that there would be so many supporters but also a lot of jerks who would be harsh. He said, 'Yeah, I know about trolls, daddy. I can handle trolls.'"
Payton, who plays King Ezekiel in "The Walking Dead," continued: "Man, there is nothing more beautiful than watching your child feel the joy of exploring what it means to be true to themselves. This is his journey, and I am here for it. I hope you all have the opportunity to feel the unquenchable love that I am feeling right now."
His wife Stacy Reed Payton, posted similar sentiments to her own Instagram, writing: "When he was born we thought he was a girl. We were mistaken. He is a boy. A smart, funny, brave, loving, magnificent boy."
"I am so incredibly proud of him and feel blessed every single day to be his mama," Reed Payton wrote.
Payton's "The Walking Dead" costar Samantha Morton, who played Alpa in the show, commented her support on his Instagram: "Karter we love you! You are incredible."
Meanwhile, Mark Hamill tweeted Payton his love for Karter:
And Reno Wilson, who starred in CBS' "Mike & Molly," commented: "These kids are truly Amazing!! Teaching us how to be human on the regular! Let's go Karter!"
Read more:
16 TV shows on Netflix with the most episodes you can watch right now
What 13 'Walking Dead' stars would do if a zombie apocalypse really happened