“I think you really have to become a parent to understand what you will endure to be there for your kids.” That line from Dwyane Wade says it all. Whether it’s Kaavia’s cookie business or Zaire’s basketball career and entrepreneurial journey, Wade has always shown up. But his most talked-about journey has been with Zaya, his daughter, who came out as transgender at 12. From day one, he’s been right there, not for applause, but for love.
When Zaya came out, the internet reacted with hate. People mocked, judged, and criticized without knowing her. Whether it was Boosie BadAzz or Young Thug, everyone had something to say to Wade. Still, Wade stood tall. Moreover, they even turned it into a fuel to help others going through the same. The father and daughter duo then launched Translatable. According to them, it was a creative platform for LGBTQ+ youth. As Zaya explained, the platform is “for youth to express themselves through a number of creative outlets”. Hate didn’t silence them, rather, it sparked change.
At the New York Times’ first Well Festival, Wade opened up about their early conversations. “At nine years old, she came out to us as gay—as gay, as a gay boy at that time,” he said. By 12, they had a deeper talk, where Zaya expressed her gender identity. Thus, he pointed out how, while for others, Zaya’s coming out was a surprise, but for him, “the kid that I see at 18 is the same kid I saw on May 29, 2007.” Moreover, he opened up about how he and Gabrielle had to work to get more educated about Zaya’s situation.
Dwyane Wade and Zaya Wade Instagram
In his words, “We’ve had to navigate making sure that we are educating ourselves as parents, as adults—making sure that we are asking questions to our daughter, making sure we’re asking questions to a therapist and a doctor and learning all the verbiage and all the knowledge that we do not know.” That effort became a foundation for Zaya’s confidence today.
But being a dad wasn’t just about support, it was about growth. Wade admitted he was learning to be the main parent while still playing pro basketball. The conversation soon led to the Host telling Wade, “When I told my son that I was going to interview you, there was silence at the other end of the line.” But here comes the interesting part: “He finally said, ‘Oh, Zaya’s dad.’ Because he follows her on social media.” Nothing could be a better source of pride for Wade than hearing this. It shows how his and Zaya’s efforts are showing their effects as the child finally managed to surpass her father’s fame, albeit in some circles for now! But it surely shows promise for the future.
How Dwyane Wade learned to follow Zaya’s lead
At the 2023 NAACP Image Awards, Dwyane Wade stood next to Gabrielle Union and said something that stuck: “As your father, my job isn’t to create a version of myself or direct your future. My role is to be a facilitator to your hopes, your wishes, your dreams. Zaya, you’ve made me a better human by just simply being who you were born to be, our baby girl Zaya Wade.” Wade had once imagined a life where both his sons followed in his NBA footsteps. But fatherhood, it turns out, wasn’t about legacy. It was about listening, unlearning, and letting go.
When Zaya started expressing herself, Wade didn’t pretend to have all the answers. In fact, he admitted that fear got in the way at first. His childhood hadn’t prepared him for this kind of parenting. So instead of leading, he learned. In a candid interview with The Atlantic, Wade remembered thinking he had “two chances at the NBA.” But it turned out that Zaya had no interest in the sport, and when she came out as gay, it must have been tough for Wade to have his expectations shattered.
What changed his mindset? A single moment. Zaya confessed she was scared. That fear broke something open in Wade. He saw how much his reaction mattered. She wasn’t just asking for support, she needed it to feel safe. “I could tell she was terrified,” he said. And just like that, Wade stepped up. He gave her the love, patience she needed from her father.
These days, their bond runs deep. Wade once shared that they talk for hours, about things both easy and hard. As she told him not to cry for her photos, he left a comment many parents will relate to: “Just proud that I get to see this day.” And really, that’s what parenting should be: seeing your child, truly seeing them, and growing right alongside.
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