- Last week NBA Super Star Dwyane Wade made headlines when he and his wife Gabrielle Union introduced the world to their daughter Zaya.
Trans What?
For those that aren’t caught up, Zaya is Dwyane Wade’s 12-year-old son Zion. Wade says that Zion has known his true identity since he was three years old. Wade goes on to say that Zaya came to him and his wife and explained to them that she wants to be addressed by pronouns such as her and she. Zaya explained to her family that she isn’t gay. She likes boys and because she identifies as female, that makes her trans straight.
Yes, read that one more time because if I’m honest, I was confused as hell when I heard the term trans straight for the first time. Then when I listened to Dwyane Wade’s interview on Good Morning America, he said something that made sense. He noted that Zaya has taught them a lot about the things that she’s experiencing and feeling and how to be open and have these conversations. She’s educated their family and they’re learning from her every day. Wade says, “it’s okay to learn from your children.”
Never Stop Learning
Now, this may not be a topic I wish to discuss with my children, but I wanted to educate myself.
For me, things are always black and white, which means if you’re a girl and you like girls, that makes you a lesbian. Or, if you’re a boy and you like boys, that makes you gay. However, research confirmed that a person’s identity is strictly based on how they feel in relation to being male or female. Therefore, transgender people can be lesbian, gay, bisexual, or straight. Being transgender only describes your sense of personal identity.
Sexual orientation has more to do with who you want to be with and who you’re attracted to romantically. Gender identity is who you are. Zaya is telling the world, with the support of her family, that her identity is female, and her sexual orientation is male. Because she identifies as a female and likes males, it makes perfect sense as to why she feels she’s not gay. To Zaya, she’s a female. Which is why in her eyes, she isn’t doing anything out of the norm by liking boys because that’s what the norm is for females.
When Dwyane Wade Supporting Your Child Goes Wrong
https://www.instagram.com/p/B8twfDpl74O/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Dwyane Wade chose to support his daughter Zaya in front of millions of fans, and people are mad about it! More specifically, Lil Boosie is not here for it at all. In an IG video posted earlier today, he sure had a lot to say about the choices Dwyane Wade has made as a parent. He feels like Wade has “gone way too far” this time. He made that clear when he pleaded with Dwyane Wade “don’t cut his d*ck off bruh!”
Several celebrities took it upon themselves to spam the comments in agreement with Lil Boosie. People seem to be bothered by the fact that Lil Boosie is feeling a type of way. They’ve taken that as a green light to turn up the opinion volume. But before the fire could be put out in the comment section of Lil Boosie’s rant, Zaire chimed in letting everyone that they needed to “get their facts straight!” I’m not sure what else it is he wants us to know, but I understand where he’s coming from. Afterall, Zaya, also known as Z, is his best friend.
Zaya’s Courage
People who have nothing to do with Wade’s household has had so much to say these last few days. In a world so cruel with everything going on, I still commend Zaya for being able to be herself. Even when you feel like no one else gets it but you, be true to yourself! Like it or not, this kid has figured out what most adults are still trying to wrap their heads around. I don’t like it, but at the end of the day, I definitely respect it!
Meet Zaya. 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. pic.twitter.com/G2lLVdD2VT
— Gabrielle Union (@itsgabrielleu) February 11, 2020
I would love to hear from other parents, dad’s in particular. Is there any advice for other parents that may be struggling with some of these same issues?
How do you feel about Dwyane Wade going public about Zaya?
Are you prepared to answer these questions for your son…or even your daughter should these issues arise?
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