When Dwyane Wade spoke to Ellen about his child, 12-year old Zaya, revealing she wanted to go by she/her pronouns, he mentioned that he and his wife, Gabrielle Union, had reached out to as many people as they could to educate themselves on the best way to support Zaya. Dwyane told Ellen that Gabrielle had reached out to the cast of Pose for advice. So when Dwyane appeared on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, a guest called in to find out what, exactly, the cast of Pose had told him:
What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned about what it means to be transgender from the cast of Pose?
Oh, great question. The lesson that my wife and I learned is – first of all, we got information. We didn’t have a lot of information and we reached out about pronouns. Something as simple as pronouns, we wanted to make sure we didn’t get it wrong, so we reached out about the pronouns and making sure that we said the right things to our daughter… She’s identifying as a young lady and we wanted to make sure we got all the pronouns right, we wanted to make sure we got the language right so we reached out to make sure that we had all the information that we needed because we are learning in this process as well.
[From YouTube via JustJared]
So, Dwyane doesn’t say that this is the advice he got from the cast of Pose specifically, but, as he said at the start of the video, he’s drunk. How amazing would it be to have the cast like Pose available to answer these kinds of questions for you? Of course, most of us don’t have that level of resource so it’s wonderful that Dwyane and Gabrielle are sharing what they advised with all of us.
While appearing, decidedly more sober, on Good Morning America with Robin Roberts, Dwyane talked about why he’s discussing Zaya’s gender identity so much during his interviews to promote his documentary, D. Wade, Life Unexpected. He said that because their family made the choice to put Zaya’s journey in the documentary, they knew it would blow up in the press. They decided, as a family, to get out in front of the narrative. Information/education has been the main focus of their message. Personally, I’ve found all their communication, including Zaya and her older brother Zaire’s, quite enlightening. They’re answering questions I didn’t even know I had.
This is unrelated but Holly Robinson Peete posted a video taken at the NBA All-Star Game last Sunday of Dwyane and Allen Iverson sharing a moment following the Kobe Bryant tribute that punched me right in the feels.
Photo credit: YouTube, WENN/Avalon and Instagram
Outstanding parenting. An example for us all.
This whole situation makes me so happy. Wonderful parents and an adorable, brave, lucky child.
What a beautiful family.
I was just coming to say, beautiful family. I love the photos of them in Christmas pajamas in the tropics!
I’ve heard some ignorant talk about Zaya and her journey. I’m so happy she has supportive parents and siblings who accept her for who she is. Dwayne and Gabby are doing an amazing job with her. I wonder how Zaya’s mother is reacting or does she no longer have contact with the kids after the custody battle?
that pic of Gab and Zaya on the beach in the ugly christmas sweater pajamas is SO DAMN CUTE.
This family is really working on their brand these days huh
If their brand is acceptance and understanding, I think we could all benefit from working on that.
Thanks, iGotNothin.
Chancey, what a cold, cynical, dismissive comment. with a little casual homophobia sprinkled in!
Please, don’t put homophobia where there is none. Being tired of this family’s constant shilling of everything they do is not homophobia.
I dunno…you’re making light of a pretty serious issue. Parents supporting a child who falls into two marginalized groups, and you outright say that they’re talking publicly about this not to support their child and others in the same situation and to bring awareness, but to “shill” their “brand”. you didn’t come right out and say “I hate trans people” but your comment was not supportive.
sounds cold, cynical, dismissive and yes…a little casually homophobic. I said what I said and stand by it.
It makes me so happy that Zaya is surrounded by so much love & support. I really appreciate the way Dwyane & Gab are handling this publicly as well. Getting in front of the story was smart and I love that they are using their platforms to talk about raising a transgender child. Many of us are so uneducated about this topic and the more it is spoken about, the better, especially in the black community. Regardless of what some might say, many of us do care about this.
For folks who have a problem with the Wade Family Broadcasting Zaya’s Business Regarding Her Gender…..
One of the most powerful engines that MOVES society forward…is when famous folks push the narrative….and THIS is a conversation that DESPERATELY needs to be pushed forward…people might not like it…however, THIS conversation and all of it’s offshoots deserve to be pushed into the public sphere AD NASEUM!
famous folks and, in THIS case, a famous MAN from a pretty macho sport.
Right?? What a beautiful example of what masculinity can be.
Normal humans: *google transgender pronouns and read websites devoted to promoting information about LGBTQ issues*
Celebrities: Imma just call cast of Pose and ask
NO SHADE, I love Gabrielle! Just lmao
What wonderful parents and what a lovely family. This story makes me happy.
So many people are saying negative things like “ D Wade has gone too far” and “ his son will grow out of it “.
I think this is the greatest thing D Wade has ever done for his family and society.
I have never had so much respect for any athlete as I do for him
I’ve never watched or followed pro basketball but between this and Lebron James’ I Promise school endeavors I think I’ve become a fan!