News

Dwyane Wade Shows Support For Daughter Zaya Wade’s Gender Identity

WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 3: Dwyane Wade #9 of the Cleveland Cavaliers passes around Kelly Oubre Jr. #12 of the Washington Wizards in the first half at Capital One Arena on November 3, 2017 in Washington, DC.

Former Miami Heat shooting guard Dwyane Wade recently announced that he is supporting his 12-year-old daughter Zaya who is choosing to be identified as “she” after originally being born as Zion. He spoke with Ellen Degeneres on The Ellen Show on Tuesday opening up about his daughter’s decision.

“Zion, born as a boy, 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,'” Wade said. Zaya’s mother is Wade’s ex-wife Siohvaughn Funches.
He continued, “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.”
Wade said he and his wife will continue to learn more about the LGBTQ community and have also been in contact with the cast of Pose which is an FX series about LGBTQ  dancers in the African American and Latin American community in New York City.
During a discussion with former NBA players Stephen Jackson and Matt Barnes on the All The Smoke podcast, Wade said, “As we say in the hood, it’s ignant. I grew up with the same perspective as a lot of these people out here that’s a little igonant. I had to look myself in the mirror and say, ‘What if your son comes home and tells 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?'”
He later added that he “watched my son — from day one — become into who she now eventually has come into.”
Wade’s wife Gabrielle Union posted a video on Twitter voicing her support for Zaya.

Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter!

A week of sports news in your in-box.
We find the sports news you need to know, so you don't have to.
Frank DeLorenzo

Leave a Comment
Share
Published by
Frank DeLorenzo
Tags: Dwyane WadeGabrielle UnionZaya Wade
6 years ago

Recent Posts

Bucks’ Kyle Kuzma Slams NYC Mayor Zorhan Mamdani Over Netanyahu Video, Sparking Debate Among NBA Players

Milwaukee Bucks forward Kyle Kuzma waded into the ongoing dispute over New York City Mayor…

12 hours ago

Tony Romo Pulls Out of Texas Tournament As Fallout From DUI Arrest Continues

Tony Romo has withdrawn from the M&P Group Texas State Open, set to begin Tuesday,…

13 hours ago

UNC Places Belichick’s Top Lieutenant Michael Lombardi, Highest Paid GM In College Football, On Leave Amid HR Complaint

North Carolina has placed football general manager Michael Lombardi on paid administrative leave effective immediately,…

13 hours ago

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope Reunites With LeBron James in Philadelphia After Grizzlies Buyout

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is headed to the 76ers after negotiating a buyout with the Memphis Grizzlies,…

2 days ago

Super Bowl Champion Jordan Devey Dies By Suicide At 38, Family Suggests CTE As Contributing Factor

Jordan Devey, a former NFL offensive lineman who won a Super Bowl ring with the…

2 days ago

49ers’ Kyle Shanahan To Open Camp In Limited Role After Serious Car Crash

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan will begin training camp in a reduced capacity…

2 days ago