In an interview with Robin Roberts on “Good Morning America” on Tuesday, former NBA star Dwyane Wade talked about the struggles he has faced parenting his 12-year-old daughter Zaya, who identifies as a transgender girl.
The former Miami Heat shooting guard was on the show to discuss his new documentary about life on and off the court, “D. Wade: Life Unexpected.” In the film, he discusses how he has learned from his daughter, who was born a boy named Zion.
“Myself and my family, we love the fact that she doesn’t have to hide who she is,” Wade told Roberts on Tuesday. “She is our leader.”
Wade said his daughter originally identified as gay, but her own research helped her discover her gender identity. What transpired after she came out was a lesson in the LGBTQIA spectrum, Wade said.
“When Zion came out to us, I had to get educated on it, on every scenario and every situation,” he said. “I’m still being educated.”
Wade, a three-time NBA champion, is the father of four children, including Zaya, Xavier, Zaire and Kaavia. For Zaya and his other children, he wanted to be careful about how much he discussed her transition in the new documentary.
“I struggled on how much I wanted to talk about it in the doc. I actually did talk about it a lot, but I knew if I put it in the doc at all it would be a big conversation,” Wade said about the sensitivity navigating the discussions about their trans child. “This is no game to us. We’re about protecting her heart and about protecting her joy, and we have to support them.”
Hours after the interview aired, rapper Boosie Badazz posted a video, with his local gym as the backdrop, scolding Wade about potentially pushing surgery on his adolescent child. Wade did not mention gender reassignment surgery in the interview.
In the explicit video, posted on Twitter by DJ Skeme, the Louisiana rapper said Zaya may not be ready to make a decision about her gender due to her age.
“They don’t have (expletive) figured out yet,” the rapper said. “He (she) might meet a woman anything at 16 and fall in love with her, but his (penis) be gone. How he gone−
Like bruh, you’re going too far, Bruh. Like bruh, don’t cut his (penis) off bruh...Don’t address him as a woman, Dog.”
Twitter supporters of the Wades quickly pounced on Boosie for his comments.
Though the Wades have learned a lot about the transgender community, there’s still more to learn, Wade said in his interview. Wade warned he is no expert on raising a transgender child. However, he offered some advice to parents who are attempting to understand their trans daughter or son. He advises that parents should “ask questions”and keep an open mind.
The documentary premieres at 9 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 23 on ESPN.
You can view the entire "GMA" interview here.
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