Celebrities flooded social media with messages of support after Dwyane Wade’s 12-year-old daughter, Zaya, came out as transgender.
The former basketball player, 38, shared Zaya’s story during an appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show on Tuesday, February 11, announcing that he and his wife, Gabrielle Union, are “proud parents of a child in the LGBTQ+ community.” He explained that the preteen was “born as a boy” and “originally named Zion,” but she recently sat down with Wade and Union, 47, and told them that she is trans.
“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.
The 13-time NBA All-Star went on to call Zaya a “leader” who one day hopes to “be a voice,” but he noted that “right now it’s through us because she’s 12 years old.”
Wade shares son Zaya and son Zaire, 18, with his ex-wife, Siohvaughn Funches. He is also the father of son Xavier, 6, with Aja Metoyer and daughter Kaavia, 15 months, with Union.
After the former Miami Heat star’s appearance on Ellen, Union shared a video via Instagram and Twitter of Zaya urging people to be their true selves.
“What’s the point of being on this Earth if you’re trying to be something you’re not?” Zaya asked. “It’s like you’re not even living as yourself, which is, like, the dumbest concept to me. Be true and don’t really care what the stereotypical way of being you is.”
The America’s Got Talent alum captioned the post, “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.”
Scroll down to see messages of support from Jessica Alba, Mindy Kaling, Jamie Foxx and more stars.
The rapper defended Zaya via an Instagram Live video. “Let people find their happiness, especially kids, let them feel comfortable,” she told followers. “People are born like that, like that Lady Gaga [lyric], ‘I was born this way’ — that s—t is f—king real. … Please try to understand, especially when it’s a child. … When you hold a secret, it just feels like such a burden. You might as well [be] free and let it out. … Speak your truth. Speak it.”
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“Her brain and spirit is on another level - we should all rise to that consciousness,” the Fantastic Four star commented on Union’s Instagram post.
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“Hello Zaya! I feel lucky to meet you!” the Mindy Project alum wrote.
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“Bless you brother with big love!” the Beat Shazam host wrote to Wade.
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“@gabunion @dwyanewade and Zaya LOVE YOU!” the Black-ish star commented.
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“This is so needed,” the music producer wrote.
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“Zaya speaking TRUTH!!!!” the Scandal alum tweeted.
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“How lucky she is to have such a wonderfully supportive family,” the Precious star commented. “This is really beautiful!”
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“Beautiful,” the model wrote.
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“Hey, Zaya! We are all so proud of you,” the U.S. Representative tweeted. “Your strength, intelligence, and conscientious worldview is impressive - thank you for being you!”
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“Nice to meet you!” the comedian commented alongside a series of clapping and heart emojis.
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“Nice to meet u,” the TV personality echoed.
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