Malik Yoba, a former “New York Undercover” actor, thanked fans who reached out to him with love and support over the Labor Day weekend after saying on Instagram that he is attracted to trans women.

The “Empire” star who has been featured in Tyler Perry movies also called out Black men and all men for perpetuating homophobia and transphobia.

Yoba “came out” as a straight man who is attracted to women — all women, straight and trans. He called for a change in attitude so that tragedies can be averted such as the apparent suicide of Maurice “Reese” Willoughby. The 20-year-old man had been bullied after admitting he dated a transgender woman.

“I love ALL women AND count MYSELF among those that find themselves trans attracted,” he said on Instagram. “… As a self identified cis heterosexual man I too am learning what it means to be trans attracted.”

https://twitter.com/MalikYoba/status/1168561922742116352?s=20

Shows such as “Orange Is The New Black”, “Star”, and “Pose” are putting Black trans women in the national spotlight, Yohance Kyles wrote in AllHipHop. “Hollywood is embracing the community, but there is still a stigma connected to Black men that are attracted to trans women.”

For example, G-Unit founder 50 Cent has been making fun of Young Buck, his former friend, for allegedly dating trans women.

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“TRANS PEOPLE DESERVE LOVE AND RESPECT AS DO THOSE OF US THAT LOVE THEM!!” Yoba said on Instagram. “I too have felt the self imposed shame that comes with that truth but it’s time to speak up. It is NOT about GENITALIA OR SEX but about attraction to the soul and humanity of an individual and often the beauty that is in the courage and conviction to live ones truth! … Many of us famous and otherwise that have struggled with accepting our attraction so we do NOTHING. This MUST change.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/B1oNm2SD6CY/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

ATTENTION BLACK 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… https://t.co/LWw396pR5A

— Malik Yoba (@MalikYoba) August 26, 2019

https://twitter.com/MalikYoba/status/1167959899671646209?s=20

Many people applauded Yoba for bringing attention to an issue that has led to harassment and death of trans women and the men who love them, BET reported.

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

Such a public declaration and active support takes a lot of self-confidence and courage.

It's one thing to be a fan of someone's work and another to respect them. Mr. Yoba's definitely garnered both.

— N’s Da-Da (@luckyturner) September 1, 2019

Not everyone was supportive of Yoba.