Dwyane Wade Thanks Daughter Zaya Wade ‘For Showing the World What Courage Looks Like’

Dwyane Wade couldn't be prouder of his 15-year-old daughter, Zaya Wade.

On February 24, the former professional basketball player and his wife, Gabrielle Union, accepted the President's Award at the 2023 NAACP Image Awards, which is presented in recognition of achievements in public service. During their speech Wade chose to speak directly to his daughter Zaya, who came out as transgender in 2020. 

“Zaya, as your father, all I've wanted to do is get it right,” the athlete said. “I've sat back and watched how gracefully you've taken on the public scrutiny. And even though it's not easy, I watched you walk out of that house every morning as yourself. I admire how you've handled ignorance in our world. I admire it that you face every day. To say that your village is proud of you is an understatement.”

Wade continued, “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. So baby, thank you for showing the world what courage looks like. I'm proud that I was chosen to stand in place as your father. And thank you so much to the NAACP for this incredible honor.”

You can watch the speech in full, here:

Before welcoming their first child together in 2018, Gabrielle Union committed to her role as stepmom to Dwyane Wade's three children from previous relationships. “I think as a stepmom, it's not my job to push myself into her life or force anything,” Union said of her relationship with Zaya in an interview with People in 2022. “So time has allowed our bond to grow organically and naturally. Being consistent with each other and being trustworthy with each other also.”

Union continued, “Zaya coming into [her] truest self did help because I am able to bond with who she actually is versus the representative that was speaking for her for years. Now she is completely herself and so I know her, not her representative.”

Zaya agreed at the time, adding, “Me discovering who I am has definitely deepened our bond and also other people's bonds. I can be truthful and honest with myself and therefore, truthful and honest with other people. That helps better everyone's connections and relationships with each other. Our relationship has grown so much from the first day I met her to now. It is because time has allowed us to grow together and progressively.”

On February 24, three full years after coming out in 2020, a Los Angeles judge approved Zaya's petition for a legal name change and made it possible for the 15-year-old's legal documents to be adjusted to reflect her gender identity.

“Meet Zaya. She's compassionate, loving, whip smart and we are so proud of her,” Union tweeted in 2020. “It’s Ok to listen to, love & respect your children exactly as they are. Love and light good people.”