Retired Miami Heat star Dwyane Wade recently appeared on The Ellen Show to talk about being a father to his 12-year-old transgender child, Zaya.
The two first talked about the importance of showing unconditional love and support as parents. Ellen recognized Wade for being “what every parent should be” in terms of accepting Zaya and her identity.
“We are proud parents of a child in the LGBTQ+ community and we’re proud allies as well. We take our roles and responsibilities as parents very seriously,” Wade said of himself and his wife, Gabrielle Union.
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“So when our child comes home with a question, when our child comes home with an issue, when our child comes home with anything, it’s our job as parents to listen to that to give them the best information that we can, the best feedback that we can, and that doesn’t change because sexuality is now involved in it.”
“So when Zion, born as a boy, came home and said, ‘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,'” shared Wade. “Now it’s our job to, one, go out and get information, to reach out to every relationship that we have.”
He continued,“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.”
Union also posted on her Twitter a video of Zaya with the sentiment: “It’s ok to listen to, love & respect your children exactly as they are.”
Meet Zaya. She's compassionate, loving, whip smart and we are so proud of her. It’s Ok to listen to, love & respect your children exactly as they are. Love and light good people. pic.twitter.com/G2lLVdD2VT
— Gabrielle Union (@itsgabrielleu) February 11, 2020
(14 LGBTQ+ terms and their definitions)
Wade is father to 3 other children: 18-year-old Zaire, 6-year-old Xavier, and one-year-old Kaavia with Union.
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