Dwayne Wade made a lot of positive waves on a recent Ellen appearance, where he sat down to talk with the host about, among other things, his transgender daughter.
Wade is a former NBA star who was recently honored with his Miami Heat number being ceremoniously retired. His wife of six years, Gabrielle Union, is a celebrated actor currently starring as Detective Sydney Burnett in L.A.’s Finest.
Their child, originally named Zion and raised as a boy, recently told them she’d like to go by Zaya, and use female pronouns, which Wade took some time to delve into during his time on Ellen.
Wade explains his perspective at the start of the clip, saying,
“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.”
Watch the clip if you have the time. Wade does a fantastic job of describing how he feels a parent should respond to a situation like this, with grace, understanding and acceptance.
Wayne expressed full support for Zaya and for the LGBTQ+ community at large.
“We are proud parents of a child in the LGBTQ+ community, and we’re proud allies as well.”
In response to Ellen’s thoughts on what it must be like for her to be in the spotlight by virtue of her celebrity parents, Wade said,
“This is our opportunity to allow [Zaya] to be a voice.
Right now it’s through us, because she’s 12 years old, but eventually, it will be through her.'”
Just look at how much mom and daughter had recently over Christmas… on the beach!
A video posted to Gabrielle’s instagram account marked the event with the caption
“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.”
In the video, young Zaya remarks,
“Be true to yourself…what’s the point of being on this Earth if you’re going to try to be someone you’re not? I
t’s like you’re not even living as yourself, which is, like, the dumbest concept to me.”
Amen, Zaya. Amen.