Source: Jesse Grant / Getty Images for Disney
Zaya Wade is the elder daughter of Dwyane Wade. Zaya told her parents she was a trans girl at the age of 12. Her family encouraged her to share her gender in February 2020. After that, she became a prominent member of the LGBTQ+ community.“As blessed as it is for my daughter to have parents who can support her, I’m still afraid every moment she leaves the house," he said.
Source: Jemal Countess / Getty Images for TIME
Zaya Wade has faced a lot of Internet trolls since she came out as a trans in 2019. Wade’s wife, the actor Gabrielle Union, shared a photo of the family to mark Thanksgiving, but her post was promptly hijacked by negative comments.Source: Kevin Mazur/MG22/ Getty Image
Dwyane is more concerned about Zaya’s safety because of "the way people perceive her in this world.”Source: Sean Zanni
During the Time 100 summit, he also spoke out against the anti-trans bills that lawmakers are attempting to pass in all states of the US. He wanted more actions from lawmakers to protect trans individuals.Source: Jemal Countess
“To me, it’s a joke," he said of the proposed laws. "This is our life. We live this. When you’re out there making rules if you’re not experiencing this.”Source: Jemal Countess
“Come and live a day with my daughter. Come and see how it is to walk through this world like her.”
Source: Chris Graythen
Dwyane indicated that it's never too late to raise our voices to protect our family members. And it's time to “love and live out loud”.
Source: Craig Barritt
"As our children show up, it is our job to believe them when they tell us who they are and not impose our dreams, hopes, fears, and desires on them," he said.
Source: Cindy Ord / Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue
Today, children need more protection and guidance from both their families and communities. Dwyane Wade said that people needed to take responsibility their children's mental health. We respect their lives and their choices. Altogether, we stand against the cruel, bizarre, and harmful society.