Dwyane Wade: ‘Talk about strength and courage? My 12-year-old has way more than I have’

Dwyane Wade is retired and enjoying fatherhood.

All aspects of it.

Wade on The Ellen Show:

Zion, born as a boy, came home and said, “Hey, so, I want to talk to you guys. I think going forward I’m ready to live my truth. And, I want to be referenced as ‘she’ and ‘her.’ I would love for you guys to call me Zaya.’”

I was particularly struck by Wade’s previous conversation on All The Smoke:

Wade:

You want to talk about strength and courage? My 12-year-old has way more than I have.

I had to look myself in the mirror and say, “What if your son comes home and tells you he’s gay? What are you going to do? How are you going to be? How are you going to act?” It ain’t about him. He knows who he is. It’s about you. Who are you?

Nothing changes with my love. Nothing changes with my responsibilities. You know what I’m saying? Only thing I have to do now is get smarter and educate myself more. And that’s my job.

Wade is setting such a powerful example in a world that is sadly far too transphobic.

And Wade is serving as a highly visible ally while admittedly not knowing all the answers. This is new for him. It can be scary to step into the conversation when even well-intentioned people get slammed for using the wrong phrasing.

Yet, as Wade said, Zaya is even more courageous. She’s clearly self-assured beyond her years.

Wade’s wife, Gabrielle Union, posted a video of Zaya discussing her identity:

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

— Gabrielle Union (@itsgabrielleu) February 11, 2020