Dwyane Wade and his wife, Gabrielle Union, provide an atmosphere of love and acceptance for all of their kids. The celebrity father, however, understands that the world has not yet fully accepted his oldest daughter, Zaya Wade, which is why he fears for her safety.
“As blessed as it is for my daughter to have parents who can support her, I’m still afraid every moment she leaves the house,” Dwyane shared with CNN’s Poppy Harlow at the TIME 100 Summit in New York City this past Tuesday (Jun. 7). “And not just because of gun violence, but because of the way people perceive her in this world,” Wade shared.
Zaya Wade came out as a transgender person during PRIDE month in 2019. The youngster has been bold in her approach to life ever since despite having to deal with Internet trolls who go out of their way to deny Zaya’s right to identify as a girl.
“Not everyone in the world and in the media is going to be truthful about what you look like,” Zaya said during a recent interview with PEOPLE in which she delved into the hateful comments she received after coming out. “I don’t have to believe everything they say,” the teen added. “The only thing I have to believe is what I feel and what beauty means to me,” Zaya shared. “I think focusing on inner beauty is the most important,” the youngster declared.
Dwyane Wade also believes that inner beauty is what matters most. The retired NBA player, however, would like to see more done by lawmakers to protect trans individuals.
“To me, it’s a joke. This is our life. We live this,” Dwyane shared during his segment at the TIME 100 Summit in New York City. “When you’re out there making rules, if you’re not experiencing this,” he continued. “Come and live a day with my daughter. Come and see how it is to walk through this world as her.”
Zaya Wade is Dwyane Wade’s daughter with his first wife, Siouvaughn Funches. The retired athlete fathers four kids in all.
Photo: TIME
