According to Johanna Silver of Now This News, former NBA superstar Dwyane Wade of Chicago, Illinois expressed his support of his transgender child on the Ellen DeGeneres Show this week. Wade felt it was important to tell his child’s story and to encourage parents to be supportive of their children’s decisions.
Wade’s 12 year-old child originally was a boy named Zion and Wade explained that Zion wanted to meet with him at the family home. During their discussion, Zion discussed his situation and said he wants to be known as Zaya, and to be referenced in the future as she and her.
Wade believes it is important to tell Zaya’s story. When hearing the news, he called his child “a leader,” and told Zaya “it’s an opportunity to allow you to be a voice.”
Zaya is the child of Wade and his first wife, Siohvaughn Funches. They married in 2002 and divorced in 2010. Wade got custody of both of his children from his first marriage in a bitter court battle.
In 2014, Wade got married to his second wife, actress Gabrielle Union of Omaha, Nebraska. Union, who is best known for her role as “Isis” in the 2000 American comedy film, “Bring it On,” stated the following on Twitter, “Meet Zaya. She’s compassionate, loving, whip smart and we are so proud of her. It’s Ok to listen to, love & respect your children exactly as they are. Love and light good people.”
It should be noted that Union is very active when it comes to female rights. She is concerned about violence against women, and issues related to women’s health.
Wade meanwhile played 15 seasons in the NBA with the Miami Heat, Chicago Bulls and Cleveland Cavaliers from 2003 to 2019. He won the NBA Finals with the Heat in 206, 2012 and 2013 and led the NBA in scoring with 30.2 points per game in 2009.
