Pride Month is all about celebrating the best organizations, resources, and activists supporting the LGBTQ+ community. And the community itself, of course. There are many examples of meaningful outreach within communities and the country, as well as on an individual basis. We wanted to take a moment to highlight a few of the celebrities who’ve notably supported their LGBTQ+ children during their coming out and/or transitioning journeys and who have graciously shared their stories publicly.
Here are five celebrities who’ve supported their children through every stage.
5 Celebs Who’ve Supported Their LGBTQ+ Kids
Dwayne Wade and Gabrielle Union
Dwayne Wade and Gabrielle Union have been vocal about their undying support of daughter Zaya, 13, who came out as transgender in February. Former NBA star Wade first shared Zaya’s story (with her permission) on The Ellen DeGengeres Show, telling the host that “we’re all about protecting her heart, we’re about protecting her joy and to do that, we have to support her.” The family recently celebrated Zaya’s birthday, sharing heartfelt messages on Instagram. Wade wrote, “I love you more than words can articulate. I hope you feel all of my love today and everyday of your life.” While Union shared a sweet pic and called Zaya “such an inspiration.” One thing is for sure – the Wade-Union family supports Zaya unconditionally.
Sally Field
The actress and supporter of the Human Rights Campaign wrote about her son Sam Greisman’s coming out in an essay for the organization, saying, “Sam is my youngest son, by 18 years, and he’s gay. To that, I say: So what?” Of his coming out process, she said, “I could make it easier [for him] only by standing visibly to the side, clearly loving him, always being there and always letting him know.” She continued that it has been “one of the great privileges of my life to have been allowed to be a part of Sam’s journey.”
Cher
Cher has always spoken candidly about her relationship with son Chaz, who began transitioning in 2008. She has also been open about how she has sometimes struggled to accept Chaz’s identity, calling the process “a strange change for a mother to go through.” Today, though, Cher says that Chaz is a “success story” and is “happier than ever.”
Charlize Theron
Charlize Theron shared with the Daily Mail last year that her son, Jackson, 8, is “not a boy.” The actress adopted Jackson in 2012 and later adopted daughter August, 4, in 2016. “I have two beautiful daughters who, just like any parents, I want to protect and I want to see thrive. They were born who they are and exactly where in the world both of them get to find themselves as they grow up, and who they want to be is not for me to decide. My job as a parent is to celebrate them and to love and make sure that they have everything they need in order to be what they want to be.”
Tori Spelling and Dean McDermott
Tori Spelling met now-husband Dean McDermott’s son Jack when he was just six years old. Last year, Jack turned 21 and the actress wrote a touching post on Instagram about how their relationship has grown. Of his coming out she wrote, “I was so proud of it. And, then we bonded again. We found each other on a new level with a whole new respect for each other.” She continued, “He is so smart, kind, funny, unique, sweet, confident, and driven. He makes no apologies for who he is.”
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