Dwyane Wade, Gabrielle Union explain why living in Florida was ‘not an option’ for family
Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union are elaborating on their move from Florida to California.
Three months after the retired NBA player revealed his family did not feel “accepted” or “comfortable” in the Sunshine State, he told Parents magazine more about their decision.
“When you have the kind of rhetoric that is being espoused in Florida and adopted into law, that’s not an option if my child isn’t safe there,” Wade, 41, said of Florida’s anti-LGBTQ+ legislation in the cover story published Tuesday, referencing his transgender 16-year-old daughter, Zaya.
“We have family and friends who don’t have the privilege of moving. So, we are going to be fighting ’til we are out of breath to protect all kids who are oppressed.
“That is our responsibility as people with large platforms and as people who folks trust,” he continued. “They trust us because we say the hard thing.”
Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union are explaining their move from Florida to California.Texas Isaiah for PARENTS
The couple told Parents magazine that their family isn’t “safe” in the Sunshine State.Texas Isaiah for PARENTS
As for why he and Union, 50, chose California for their home base after selling their Miami home, the actress said that “finding a community for Zaya was a big part of that.”
The “Perfect Find” star explained, “We felt that California was a place that would allow her to blossom and grow. She’s going to be a junior in high school now, and she’s been able to be accepted and become her here.”
Wade’s daughter, whom he welcomed in May 2007 with ex-wife Siohvaughn Funches, came out as trans in February 2020.
They believe daughter Zaya will have an easier time “finding a community” in California.gabunion/Instagram
The now-16-year-old came out as trans in 2020.Gabrielle Union/Instagram
She was granted a legal name and gender change in February.Instagram/@zayawade
The former Miami Heat player told “Ellen DeGeneres Show” viewers at the time that he and Union are “proud allies.”
He added, “We take our roles and our responsibilities as parents very seriously.”
Two years later, Zaya launched a modeling career with ads for Miu Miu and Tiffany & Co. under her belt. She posed for her first cover for Dazed magazine in March.
Wade acknowledged that not every family has “the privilege of moving” away from Florida’s anti-LGBTQ+ legislation.Texas Isaiah for PARENTS
“We are going to be fighting till we are out of breath to protect all kids who are oppressed,” he said.
