Dwyane Wade's 12-Year-Old Child Will Now Go By Zaya

“Me and my wife, Gabrielle Union, we are proud parents of a child in the LGBTQ+ community."
Dwayne Wade

 

Dwyane Wade has stood up as a proud parent of a gender non-conforming kid. In a new interview on Ellen, he spoke candidly about his 12-year-old child, who has expressed that she is now going by the name Zaya and using she/her pronouns.

“Me and my wife, Gabrielle Union, we are proud parents of a child in the LGBTQ+ community and we’re proud allies as well,” Wade told host Ellen DeGeneres. “We take our roles and responsibilities as parents very seriously. 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.”

Wade recalled the moment his child came out to him and Union. "I don't know if everybody knows, originally named Zion, born as a boy,” he explained. “[She] 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.'"

As soon as Zaya came out to her parents, Wade and Union realized that they needed to educate themselves on matters around gender identity. “My wife reached out to everybody on the cast of Pose,” Wade said, referring to the FX show whose main cast is largely made of trans actresses of color. “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."

DeGeneres also noted that the Wade and Union family have partnered with GLSEN, a national organization dedicated to combating gender identity and sexuality-based discrimination in schools.

Wade understands that Zaya will eventually have a platform to “be a voice” for fellow gender non-conforming youth. “I looked at her and said, ‘You are a leader,’” Wade continued. “It’s our opportunity to allow you to be a voice. Right now, it’s through us because she’s 12 years old, but eventually it will be through her.”

Back in December, Wade defended his child from internet trolls who criticized her for wearing a crop top and long nails. He also started referring to her with she/her pronouns in an interview.

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