Dwyane Wade Got Real About How He Fears For His

Dwyane Wade Fears For His Trans Daughter Zaya’s Safety

You know that Dwyane Wade is the father to four children — including his 15-year-old daughter, Zaya, who is trans.

During a recent appearance at the Time 100 summit, the ex-NBA player opened up about his hopes and fears for Zaya in the world we live in.

“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.

Dwyane said his fears for Zaya not only stem from gun violence in the US, but because of “the way people perceive her in this world.”

During the interview, he also spoke out against the anti-trans bills that lawmakers are attempting to pass in states across the US.

“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.”

“Come and live a day with my daughter. Come and see how it is to walk through this world as her.”

Earlier this year, Gabrielle Union talked to BuzzFeed about raising Zaya alongside Dwyane and why it’s important for the family to “love and live out loud.”

“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,” she said.

“It’s our job to be loving, compassionate, protective guides for our children, but their lives are their lives and we have to respect that. We do not believe in any kind of shaming for existing. That is bizarre, cruel, [and] harmful.”

Read our interview with Gabrielle here.

Peer-support services are available at the Trans Lifeline. You can call the hotline at (877) 565-8860.

Looking for more ways to get involved? Check out all of BuzzFeed’s posts celebrating Pride 2022.

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