Celebrity News March 08, 2020
Dwyane Wade & Gabrielle Union Hit the Red Carpet with Trans Daughter Zaya
Zaya Wade, the 12-year-old trans daughter of former basketball star Dwyane Wade, made her red-carpet debut Saturday — and she did it both in style, and family-style!
Looking chic in an emerald-green jacked and high-buttoned shirt, a black tuxedo pant, and a hot-pink sash, Zaya accessorized with a gold chain. Wade and his wife, actress Gabrielle Union, wore perfectly color-coordinated looks, presenting a unified front.
The event was the 2020 Better Brothers L.A. Truth Awards, honoring members of the black LGBTQ community, including friends of Wade's. Wade took the stage, acknowledging his daughter's journey.
"When our 8-year-old daughter, Zaya Wade, came home and said she had something to tell us," he said to a packed room, "when she came out to us, as a family, we admitted that weren't as educated about the LGBTQ+ plus community as we should have been."
He went on to say that he and Union reached out to a male couple for advice. "They also reminded us to make sure Zaya knew her community and felt the love and support inside and outside from home. From working closely with Zaya to design her room in our homes to make sure that her most authentic self was represented and that her bedroom felt like her sanctuary. Now, that may seem small, but taking the time to make sure Zaya felt seen and heard as she created her own space for us was key. It was key to Zaya's comfort and her confidence."
On Sunday, Wade proudly posted a solo image of Zaya in her outfit from the event, writing, "Everyone allow her to re-introduce herself her name is Zaya Wade! Last night was Zaya's first red carpet and we couldn't have been prouder of how she handled the questions that were asked of her. She has emerged as one of the young faces and voices for the LGBTQ+ community. #truthawards."
Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media.
Union posted a series of videos and images, including one of herself, Dwyane, and Zaya walking toward the camera. She captioned it, "We keep moving forward. We keep leading with love, light, and hope for a better more inclusive world. Stay put and stay mad if you want. We keep it pushing. Always. ❤❤❤."
Zaya came out publicly as trans earlier this year, with the full support of Wade and Union. At that time, Union posted a video of Zaya explaining her feelings about living her truth:
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. pic.twitter.com/G2lLVdD2VT
@itsgabrielleu
Wade and Zaya's mother Siohvaughn Funches, were divorced in 2010. He has custody of Zaya, and is the father of three other children — son Zaire, 18, his second child with Funches; son Xavier, 6, with Aja Metoyer; and daughter Kaavia, 1, with Union.