Image courtesy of geralt from Pixabay
As reported by CNN, “Dwyane Wade has opened up about his daughter, Zaya, identifying as transgender.”
On Tuesday, the 16-year NBA veteran made a major announcement on Ellen.
Here’s what the 13-time NBA All-Star had to say:
“[M]e 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. And we take our roles and responsibility as parents very seriously.”
So what’s the story?
In March of 2011, Dwayne was awarded sole custody of his two sons, Zaire and Zion, from his marriage to first wife Siohvaughn Funches.
In 2014, he wed actress Gabrielle.
And not long ago, in the kid department, there was some seismic activity.
As told to Ellen:
“[Z]ion, born as a boy, came home and said, ‘Hey, so I want to talk to you guys. You know, 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.'”
To Dwayne, it was the same as any other kind of issue:
“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.”
Imagine being able to just call the cast of Pose https://t.co/iX91ncCROs
— Sittin’ Up In My Room (@divaTy) February 11, 2020
Upon getting the news from Zion, Dwayne and Gabrielle went into research mode. They’re trying to provide Zaya the best opportunity possible:
“Now it’s our job to one, go out and get information — to reach out to every relationship that we have. … 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, you know, her best self.”
As part of that, Gabrielle reached out to the cast of Pose for an education.
Pose star Indya Moore has certainly been at the forefront of telling outsiders about the intricacies of transgenderism:
"If a woman has a penis, her penis is a biologically female penis," @IndyaMoore said. https://t.co/vWudbq5e4x
— PinkNews (@PinkNews) February 19, 2019
Prior to the major reveal, there was a bit of precipitation. The Wade family got some attention last November, when a group photo posted to Instagram showed Zion wearing white nail polish and a crop top.
Dwayne backed his son:
“I’ve seen some post-thanksgiving hate on social about my family photo. Stupidity is apart of this world we live in—so i get it. But here’s the thing—I’ve been chosen to lead my family not y’all. So we will continue to be us and support each other with pride, love & a smile!”
I’ve seen some post-thanksgiving hate on social about my family photo. Stupidity is apart of this world we live in—so i get it. But here’s the thing—I’ve been chosen to lead my family not y’all. So we will continue to be us and support each other with pride, love & a smile! ✌🏾
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) November 30, 2019
Even brother Zaire went to bat:
“We didn’t ask for y’all opinion.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/B5n1ncDHuXy/?utm_source=ig_embed
Since then, it seems, a lot has happened.
Gabrielle made her own announcement, via Twitter:
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
Zaya — formerly Zion — is 12.
-ALEX
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