Retired NBA star Dwayne Wade recalls his feelings when his 12-year-old daughter Zaya decided to come out to him and his wife as transgender. The father was eager to talk on The Ellen Show about how proud he was of his 12-year-old’s bravery while coming out.
Dwayne is married to actress, author, and activist Gabrielle Union. Zaya is one of Dwayne Wade’s four children. He also has 18-year-old Zaire, 6-year-old Xavier, and 15-month-old Kaavia. Zaire and Zaya are from Wayne’s relationship with Siohvaughn Funches. Xavier’s mother is Aja Metoyer, and Kaavia is the daughter of Union and Wade. Though Zaya is not Union’s biological child, Union and is very vocal about her love and support for Zaya.
In an interview on The Ellen Show, Wade discussed the moment when Zaya revealed her decision to come out as transgender. As a member of the LGBQ+ community herself, Ellen praised Wade for being a loving and supporting parent. Wade told Ellen, “Me and my wife, my wife Gabrielle Union… we are proud parents of a child in the LGBTQ+ community and we’re proud allies as well.” Wade told Ellen about the beautiful moment when Zaya, previously named Zion, came home and according to Wade, she stated, “Hey, so I want to talk to you guys. I think going forward I am ready to live my truth. I want to be referenced as ‘she’ and ‘her.’ I would love for you guys to call me Zaya." Check out the full interview below:
Wade and Union immediately supported Zaya’s truth. Wayne told Zaya, “You are our leader. You are our leader and this is our opportunity to allow you to be a voice.” The 38-year old father also discussed the actions he and his family are now taking to advance Zaya’s journey. He told The Ellen Show, “My wife reached out to everybody on the cast of Pose. We’re just trying to figure out as much information as we can to make sure that we give our child the best opportunity to be her best self.”
Wade and Union have been advocates from the beginning, especially since they recognize she is too young to be able to fully stand up for herself. At the Miami Pride Fest in April, Gabrielle and Zaya went out in rainbow gear to join the festivities with the LGBTQ + community. Wade also posted a photo on his Snapchat of Zaya and Kaavia with the caption “my girls.” Despite hateful comments, Wade and Union, along with tons of their celebrity friends, such as actress and singer Janelle Monáe, Ellen Popmeo, Timbaland, and more continue to show their love and back up Zaya.
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Source: The Ellen Show
