Gabrielle Union’s stepdaughter, Zaya Wade, felt “outed” by a 2017 birthday photo that featured her posing alongside Gabrielle and her birthday cake. Union discussed the photo and Zaya’s feelings about social media during her recent interview with Taraji P. Henson and co-host Tracie Jade Jenkins on Peace of Mind With Taraji.
“Zaya’s peace is non-negotiable,” Gabrielle shared with Henson and Jenkins. “As Zaya gathered more language, she was able to tell us about her identity,” the L.A.’s Finest star shared. “She was able to tell us about her sexuality. She was able to tell us, ‘I’m trans.’ She says, ‘I’ve come out a few times. I came out to my teacher in third grade. And then, when you guys posted that picture of me in Chicago at my birthday party.'”
Critical bloggers scrutinized the candid of Zaya at her birthday party in 2017. Some even questioned if Zaya identified as a girl back then, which made the youngster feel “outed” according to Union.
“She asked for a demisexual flag for her birthday, and Dwyane’s like to me, ‘Do you know what that is?'” Gabrielle said of Dwyane’s response to Zaya’s request. The celebrity couple had to search for the meaning of the demisexual flag before they could gift Zaya with the item.
“We only know what we know,” Gabrielle Union shared with Taraji P. Henson and Tracie Jade Jenkins. “You have to be open to embrace what we don’t know,” the veteran actress said.
Stay tuned for more Wade family news!
Photo: Gabrielle Union/Instagram