Watch Dwyane Wade's Daughter, Zaya, Discuss Gender Identity
Zaya Wade Discusses Gender Identity in Video With Dwyane: "It's Worth It" to "Be the Best You"
At just 12 years old, Dwyane Wade's daughter is wise beyond her years — and she's sharing her thoughts on gender identity with the world. On Tuesday morning, Dwyane made an appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show to open up about how his daughter, born Zion, came out as transgender. Just a few hours after the impactful segment aired, Gabrielle Union posted a heartwarming Instagram video of Zaya, her stepdaughter, candidly discussing the power of staying true to yourself while golfing with her dad.
"Just be true and don't care what the stereotypical way of being you is."
"What's the point of being on this earth if you're gonna try to be someone you're not?" Zaya says at the start of the clip. "It's like you're not even living as yourself. Just be true and don't care what the stereotypical way of being you is."
Dwyane interjects. "Even when people are being mean and even when people are getting hurt because they're trying to be themselves?" he asks. "Even through that, you still want people to make sure they live their truth?" Zaya answers back with a resounding yes.
"Yeah, I know they can get tough, but I think you push through and you be the best you," the sage 12-year-old says. She adds, "It's very worth it when you reach that point . . . when you can look in the mirror and say hi to yourself, like, 'nice to meet you,' instead of, 'hmm, I don't really know who I am.'"
When Gabrielle proudly shared the sweet video with her 15 million Instagram followers, she paired it with an encourageing caption. "Meet Zaya," she wrote. "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." Gosh, we just love this beautiful, supportive fam.
