Earlier this year retired NBA star, Dwyane Wade, and his oldest daughter, Zaya, became the ultimate father-daughter duo. Not only did Zaya come out as transgender, but Wade also opened up about being a proud father and LGBTQ+ ally.
In an interview with Ellen Degeneres back in February, Wade shared how his daughter came out as transgender to him and his wife Gabrielle Union. “Once Zaya, our 12-year-old, 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 would love for you guys to call me Zaya.’”
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And Wade reacted in the most caring and thoughtful way by learning all that he could about the LGBTQ community and let Zaya know that he supports and loves her no matter what.
“We are proud when I said proud, proud parents of a child in the LGBTQ+ community and we’re proud allies as well. We take our roles and our responsibilities as parents very seriously. 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.”
And ever since that first interview about Zaya living her truth, Wade has continued to show his love for Zaya and for her three other children on social media.
At the beginning of June, Wade celebrated pride month and Zaya’s 13th birthday.
“I wanna take this moment to acknowledge you Zaya on your 13th birthday
Wade also can’t resist his youngest daughter, Kaavia.
I think it’s safe to say his two daughters have their dad wrapped around their fingers. But he also adores his sons as well.
And he loves that his oldest, Zaire, is following in his footsteps.
And he’s also become a father figure for his nephew, Dahveonn, who also excels on the basketball court.
It’s pretty clear that Wade loves all of his children and those who have become his children.
He even retired from the NBA in order to be a more present father.
In an interview with GQ, Wade said, “My daughter [Kaavia James Union Wade] was my push. I came into the NBA and [my oldest son] Zaire was roughly the same age that my daughter is now. Zaire’s 18 now, right? 17 years ago I came into the NBA. And now my daughter’s 15 months—it’s like roughly the same age. I came in with a little one and that was my purpose and that was my why. And I went out with a little one and that was my purpose and that was my why to leave the game.”
It couldn’t be more clear, Wade will always be there for his children no matter what.
Contents
- 1 At the beginning of June, Wade celebrated pride month and Zaya’s 13th birthday.
- 2 Wade also can’t resist his youngest daughter, Kaavia.
- 3 And he loves that his oldest, Zaire, is following in his footsteps.
- 4 And he’s also become a father figure for his nephew, Dahveonn, who also excels on the basketball court.
- 5 It’s pretty clear that Wade loves all of his children and those who have become his children.
- 6 He even retired from the NBA in order to be a more present father.