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Dwyane Wade Talks About His Child Coming Out as Transgender

Dwyane Wade is opening up to Ellen DeGeneres about his 12-year-old child’s gender identity.

The 38-year-old basketball player talked about how he and wife Gabrielle Union educated themselves on the LGBTQ+ community after their daughter Zaya came out as transgender.

“First of all, me and my wife Gabrielle, we are proud parents of a child in the LGBTQ+ community and we are proud allies as well. We take our roles and responsibilities as parents very seriously. So when our child comes home with a question, our child comes home with an issue, our child comes home with anything, it’s our job as parents to listen to that, to give them the best information we can, to give the best feedback we can. And that doesn’t change because sexuality is now involved in it,” Dwyane said during an interview on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.

“Once Zaya, our 12-year-old, came home… first, Zion. I don’t know if everyone knows, originally named Zion. Zion, born as a boy, 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’d love for you guys to call me Zaya,’” Dwyane said.

“So, that was our job to go out and get information, to reach out to every relationship we have. My wife reached out to everybody on the cast of Pose. We just tried to figure out as much information as we [could] to make sure we give our child the best opportunity to be her best self,” he added.

Dwyane also said, “Once Zion came home and said ‘call me Zaya‘ and was ready to take on this, I looked at her and said, ‘You are a leader. 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.”

Last year, Dwyane responded to critics of the crop top and nails that Zaya, then known publicly as Zion, was wearing at Thanksgiving dinner.

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Dwyane Wade Gives Powerful Speech on Raising Gay Son

Dwyane Wade was asked what it’s like parenting a gay son when he comes from a hyper-masculine NBA environment.

The 37-year-old former professional basketball player shared his thoughts on Stephen Jackson and Matt Barnes‘ All the Smoke podcast this week.

“I had to look myself in the mirror when my son at the time was 3 years old and me and my wife started having conversations about us noticing that he wasn’t on the boy vibe that Zaire [Dwyane's other son] was on,” Dwyane said about his 12-year-old son Zion. “And, I had to look myself in the mirror and say, ‘What if your son come home and tell you he’s gay? What are you going to do? How are you going to be? How are you going to act? It ain’t about him. He knows who he is. It’s about you. Who are you?’”

“I grew up with the same perspective as a lot of these people out here that’s a little ignorant,” Dwyane continued. “I grew up with a similar perspective. And, you meet people along the way that help you take those glasses off and put on some different ones. Look through life through a different lens. That’s what my wife has been able to do. So, it’s been cool.”

“Everybody get used to it, man,” Dwyane added. “This is the new normal. So if anybody different, we looked at as different. You know what I’m saying? The ones that don’t understand it. The ones that don’t get it. The ones that are stuck in a box. You’re different. Not the people that are out here living their lives, man.”

“You want to talk about strength and courage? My 12-year-old has way more than I have,” Dwyane shared. “You can learn something from your kids.”

Zion is Dwyane Wade‘s son from a previous relationship, and he and his current wife Gabrielle Union have been publicly supportive of him, such as at Miami’s Pride Festival earlier this year.

READ MORE: Dwyane Wade Responds to Critics of His 12-Year-Old Child Zion’s Thanksgiving Nails & Crop Top


Dwyane Wade | Ep 9 | Big 3, Zaire, Retirement | ALL THE SMOKE Full Podcast

Dwyane Wade Responds to Critics of His 12-Year-Old Child Zion's Thanksgiving Nails & Crop Top

Dwyane Wade is responding to some of the hate being directed towards his child, Zion, 12, in his family’s Thanksgiving photo.

In the picture, Dwyane and his wife Gabrielle Union are posing with kids Zion, 12, and Kaavia, 12 months.

Once the photo was posted to Instagram, users started commenting about Zion‘s fake nails and crop top.

“Why does his son have his nails done and dressed like a girl?,” one troll wrote, while another posted, “Nails done and crop top 🤨 🤦🏽‍♀️ where is this child biological mother.”

Dwyane took to Twitter to respond, “As a parent my only goal is that my kids feel that i see them , love them and support them.” He added, “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!”

The family previously supported Zion at Miami’s Pride Festival earlier this year.

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Gabrielle Union Claps Back at Criticism Over Dwyane Wade's Family Photo

Gabrielle Union has no time to deal with haters.

The 46-year-old actress clapped back at an online troll who criticized a family photo Dwyane Wade recently posted on his Instagram Story.

“My Girls,” the 37-year-old retired NBA player wrote along with two heart emojis and a photo of Gabrielle with kids Zion, 11, and Kaavia, 11-months.

A troll then reposted the the photo on Twitter along with the comment, “What y’all think of this?”

Gabrielle then quickly clapped back at the ignorant user, tweeting, “Looks like love to me. I truly hope that everyone gets the love, support and hugs they deserve. Also Kaav ain’t with the dumb s–t. Peace & Blessings good people.”

READ MORE: Gabrielle Union & Dwyane Wade Support Son Zion at Miami Pride Festival!

Dwyane Wade Opens Up About Supporting His Son Zion at a Pride Parade: 'It's My Job as a Father'

Dwyane Wade is opening up about supporting his 11-year-old son, Zion.

The 37-year-old NBA player spoke to Variety about showing support at the Miami Pride Parade alongside wife Gabrielle Union earlier this year.

“I don’t really talk about it much because it’s Zion’s story to tell. I think as a family, we should support each other. That’s our job. And my job as a father is to facilitate their lives and to support them and be behind them in whatever they want to do,” he said.

“I’m asked a question about my kids a lot from a sports perspective. I think people expect you to parent each kids the same. They are all different, and I have to get to know them and where they are. I have to say to most parents, get to know your kids. Don’t put your wants and needs on them.”

He also responded to backlash for supporting Zion: “This is my job as a father. I’m very uneasy about accolades that come from supporting my kids or the negativity that comes from it. I’m doing what every parent has to do. Once you bring kids into this world, you become unselfish. It’s my job to be their role model, to be their voice in my kids’ lives, to let them know you can conquer the world. So, go and be your amazing self and we’re going to sit back and just love you.”

For more from Dwyane, head to Variety.com.

Gabrielle Union Opens Up About Supporting Son Zion at Pride Parade With Dwyane Wade & Family

Gabrielle Union is opening up about attending Miami Pride with her family!

The 46-year-old L.A.’s Finest actress discussed attending the parade with husband Dwayne Wade in support of their 11-year-old son Zion at the Black Design Collective Honors Costume Designer Ruth E. Carter event on Saturday (April 13) with Us Weekly.

“It feels normal. My mom took me to my first pride at eight years old. We moved to San Francisco, and it’s kind of part of being a global citizen,” she explained.

“People talk a lot about diversity and inclusion, but they don’t actually mean it. In our household, we mean that, and that’s why the entire household went to pride.”

Dwyane couldn’t make it to the pride event because of work, but he shared photos on Instagram Stories to show he was there in spirit. He wrote, “Zion had his [own] cheering section today. Wish I was there to see you smile kid!”

Dwyane Wade Gets Support from Gabrielle Union & Their Kids at His Final Home Game!

Dwyane Wade played the final home game of his career in Miami last night (April 9)!

The 33-year-old Miami Heat player got support from his wife Gabrielle Union, their five-month-old baby girl Kaavia, sons Zaire, Xavier and Zion Wade, as well as nephew Dahveon Morris as he played his final career home game at the American Airlines Arena in Miami, Fla.

Dwyane — who first joined the Heat in 2003 — shot 30 points in 34 minutes in the 122-99 win over the Philadelphia 76ers, according to ESPN.

“Man, you’re going to make me cry before this game,” Dwyane said following a pregame tribute video the Heat showed honoring his career. Man, I love you guys.”


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