As if America needed another reason to aspire to the parenting goals of Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union, the pair just raised the bar for parents. Wade has previously shared how his child revealed her preference for being addressed by pronouns like she and her, and now Wade has shared that she now prefers to be called Zaya. Wade and his family have been supportive of Zaya's journey, despite when the public hasn't. The family even received scrutiny for attending gay a pride event during 2019. Regardless, nothing has stopped the Wade family from surrounding Zaya with love.
Wade made the revelation during an interview on the Ellen DeGeneres show, where he recounted the conversation with Zaya. "When our child comes home with a question, when our child comes home with an issue, when our child comes home with anything, it's our job as parents to listen to that, to give them the best information we can, the best feedback we can... and that doesn't change because sexuality is now involved."
Fathers like Wade are helping to move away from the stigma of having a gay child, rejecting the notion of disowning or causing harm because of ones sexuality. A stigma within the African American community, that has been challenged as recently as Kevin Harts insensitive comments of how he would handle having a gay son. Comments which led to backlash and caused Hart to lose his spot as the host for that years Oscars. Fast forward two years later and the conversation surrounding parenting and homosexuality has changed greatly. Wade comments offer a new look at the evolution of Black fathers, especially amongst public figures. Father's day is still a few months away however it is never too early, or late, to celebrate Black father figures and those who are helping to change the idea of what it means to be a father in a non traditional family unit.
