Gabrielle Union’s husband Dwyane Wade says he is “proud” of his transgender daughter.
The former NBA star is a father to four children – Zaire, Zaya and Xavier – from a previous relationship and Kaavia with his wife Gabrielle.
And while speaking to Ellen DeGeneres, the athlete opened up about the first time Zaya revealed she was transitioning. He said: “First of all, me and my wife Gabrielle, we are proud parents of a child in the LGBTQ community and we are proud allies as well.
“Once Zaya, our 12-year-old, came home… first, Zion. I don’t know if everyone knows, originally named Zion. Zion, born as a boy, came home and said, ‘Hey, so I want to talk to you guys. I think going forward, I’m ready to live my truth. And I want to be referenced as she and her. I’d love for you guys to call me Zaya’.”
After Zaya revealed she is transgender, the couple – who have been vocal supporters of the LGBTQ community – reached out to the cast of Pose to “try and figure out” how to move forward to help Zaya be “her best self”.
Wade continued: “Once Zion came home and said, ‘call me Zaya’ and was ready to take on this, I looked at her and said, ‘You are a leader. It’s our opportunity to allow you to be a voice.’ Right now, it’s through us, because she’s 12 years old, but eventually it will be through her.
“So when our child comes home with a question, our child comes home with an issue, our child comes home with anything, it’s our job as parents to listen to that, to give them the best information we can, to give the best feedback we can.
“And that doesn’t change because sexuality is now involved in it.”
I just love how Dwyane Wade is the one who’s at the front of this issue with his child. When it was about pride and supporting Zion’s difference, he, the very masculine black father, was the one being out there, speaking out about it and exhibiting father goals. Now Zion is transgender, it’s him again saying all these things.
This is just not what’s expected of father’s, especially black fathers. The fact that Dwyane is shattering the black father stereotype is just… It warms my heart. Zaya is lucky to have her parents be so loving and supportive of her.
To have parents like these is a privilege. They actually listen, try to understand and get that you’re an individual who’s happiness is a priority. They even stand up to defend you when people attack you because you’re different.
Imagine all the pain, depression, self esteem issues Zaya has been saved from, knowing that she has a solid support system and safety net at home.