Gabrielle Union, Dwyane Wade Celebrate Trans Daughter Zaya's Carpet Debut

One month since confirming that his daughter is transgender, Dwyane Wade and wife, Gabrielle Union, accompanied Zaya to her first red carpet.

Over the weekend, the family took to the Better Brothers' Truth Awards in Los Angeles in color-coordinated ensembles, with Wade, 38, and Union, 48, rocking black-and-white tuxedo jackets, while Zaya, 12, wore a green tuxedo jacket with a pink sash. "Everyone allow her to re-introduce herself her name is Zaya Wade! [Saturday] night was Zaya’s first red carpet and we couldn’t have been prouder of how she handled the questions that were asked of her," Wade captioned a shot of Zaya. "She has emerged as one of the young faces and voices for the LGBTQ+ community."

In a separate post of the family, the retired NBA star acknowledged the importance of the Truth Awards, which is to recognize and highlight the accomplishments of the black LGBTQ+ community and its allies. "In doing so, they increase the awareness of their contributions to Society, Popular Culture and the Arts, and help refocus the lens through which they are seen," he explained. "The Truth Awards also provides funding for scholarships that supports educational opportunities for youth in the LGBTQ+ community!"

Wade previously spoke about Zaya's gender identity in an appearance on Ellen. "Once Zaya, our 12-year-old, came home… first, Zion. I don’t know if everyone knows, originally named Zion. 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’d love for you guys to call me Zaya,’” the proud dad said during his February appearance. “So, that was our job to go out and get information, to reach out to every relationship we have. My wife reached out to everybody on the cast of Pose. We just tried to figure out as much information as we [could] to make sure we give our child the best opportunity to be her best self."

Photo: Getty Images


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