Dwyane Wade is a proud dad, and he's not holding back about it.
The retired NBA legend sat down with E! News at the second annual Translatable gala—the nonprofit he founded to create a safe space for LGBTQIA+ youth after his daughter came out as transgender—and discussed what Zaya has taught him.
"I think we are constantly learning from Zaya," Wade told E! News. The three-time NBA champion, who spent 16 seasons in the league, initially believed he understood what courage meant. He was wrong.
"I always talk about her courage," Wade explained. "We all think we have courage until that moment presents." Zaya showed the family what actual bravery looks like. "Zaya has just shown us an incredible understanding of courage and what it looks like to feel safe and feel protected," he said, crediting both his 19-year-old daughter and wife Gabrielle Union.
The Wade household practices what it preaches about acceptance. Zaya, a model, has been vocal about her gender identity, telling Dazed in March 2023 that the positives of her platform "completely outweigh all of the negativity online." She uses her voice to inspire other trans people worldwide.
Wade's take on fatherhood is direct. "All the things that we all want and all strive for, that we all are working hard to find, to see her understand that she has it and to really blossom and bloom in it, it gives you hope," he said.
Zaya is among several transgender celebrities in the spotlight. Kai Schreiber, daughter of actors Naomi Watts and Liev Schreiber, has appeared on Paris Fashion Week runways, while influencer Dylan Mulvaney has documented her transgender journey through TikTok content.
This Pride Month, these stars are demonstrating what family looks like.
