‘You are a leader.’ Dwyane Wade reveals that his 12-year-old no longer goes by Zion
Dwyane Wade’s father of the year chants have just reached new levels.
Appearing on “The Ellen Show” on Tuesday, the former Miami Heat star revealed that his 12-year-old will now go by Zaya instead of her birth name Zion.
“Me and my wife Gabrielle Union are proud parents of a child in the LGBTQ+ community, and we’re proud allies as well,” Wade told the audience. “We take our roles and responsibility as parents very seriously. So 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 and give them the best information that we can, the best feedback that we can. And that doesn’t change because sexuality [and gender] is now involved.”
This announcement comes roughly two months after Wade first referred to Zaya with the she/her pronouns. The 13-time All-Star went on to share how he learned of her decision, saying that the preteen sat the couple down and simply asked them to use her pronouns as well as call her Zaya. From there, Dwyane Wade jumped right into student mode.
“Internally, now it’s our job to one, go out to get information,” Wade explained, “to reach out to every relationship we have. My wife reached out to everybody on the cast of “Pose.” We just trying to figure out as much information as we can to make sure that we give our child the best opportunity to be her best self.”
Getting in contact with people on “Pose” made sense. The Golden Globe-nominated series has the largest cast of LGBTQ and transgender actors in television history, according to the show’s website. Advice from anyone on that show, especially the people of color, would be invaluable.
DeGeneres later praised Wade for his level of tolerance, calling his action exemplary.
“I’m sure there are a lot of people that just don’t know what to do so you’re a great example,” she said.
As for Zaya, look for her to become a force for equal rights within the LGBTQ+ community. If she has taken anything away from her father, it will surely be his penchant for leadership.
“I looked at her and said ‘You are a leader,’” Wade said of his initial conversation with Zaya. “This is our opportunity for you to be a voice. Right now. it’s through us because she’s 12 years old but eventually, it’ll be through her.”
After the news broke, Union posted a video of Zaya explaining why she decided to step into her truth at such a young age.
“What’s the point of being on this Earth if you’re going to try to be someone you’re not?” the 12-year-old said.
This story was originally published February 11, 2020 at 12:40 PM.
