July 4th 2023.
Dwyane Wade has been praised for his unconditional acceptance and celebration of daughter Zaya. But his journey to this point wasn't always so open. At a CAA Amplify event on June 27th, Wade spoke with NBA all-star Chris Paul and Creative Arts Agency executive Lisa Metelus about his experience.
He explained that although he expected Zaya's evolution of identity after she came out as gay at age 8, he realized he wasn't the "cool dad" he initially thought himself to be after Zaya displayed fear in relaying her true identity. He recounted the moment of truth, saying, "I came home and I just remember my child being scared to talk to me, like hiding in my wife's arm in a chair."
Wade realized he had to take a look at his own masculinity and how he may have perpetuated his daughter's fear. Though he was trying to protect his family from public opinion by keeping their faces off social media, an Instagram post from his wife on Thanksgiving sparked a wave of conversations about Zaya, his parenting, and transgender children in general.
Having to confront widespread ignorance was the most challenging for Wade and his wife, Gabrielle Union. But they quickly defended Zaya while educating themselves on the nuances of being transgender. Wade even said that through learning more about his daughter, he too "became all kinds of things," referencing to his own pink nail polish that challenges expected gender norms.
The family's love and support has allowed Zaya to become a role model for trans youth. From walking in fashion shows to emerging as a young style icon, Zaya has become an inspiration to many. Despite all the scrutiny and attention from the public eye, the family has kept a united front that has been strong enough to block out hate and intolerance.
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