Dwyane Wade and his wife, Gabrielle Union, received the prestigious President’s Award for their support of the LGBTQ+ community at the 2023 NAACP Awards on Saturday.
It comes just a day after the 40-year-old former basketball pro’s 15-year-old daughter – who came out in 2019 aged 12 – received a legal name and gender reassignment surgery despite her mother’s opposition.
The NBA star took the opportunity to reach out to his daughter – who is now officially Zaya Malachi Airamis Wade – praising her for dealing with the “ignorance in our world” as Gabrielle, 50, gave an impassioned speech in which he stated that “Black transgender” people are being attacked, terrorized and hunted in this country.”
Dwyane told his teenager, “Zaya, as your father, I just wanted to do it right. I’ve sat back and watched you gracefully endure public criticism, and although it’s not easy, I’ve seen you walk out of the house every morning looking like yourself.”
“I admire how you have dealt with the ignorance in our world. I admire that you deal with this every day. To say your village is proud of you is an understatement,” the proud father continued.
Coveted award: Dwyane Wade and wife Gabrielle Union received the prestigious President’s Award for their support of the LGBTQ+ community at the 2023 NAACP Awards on Saturday
The latest: It comes just a day after his transgender daughter Zaya, 15, received a legal name and gender reassignment surgery following a legal battle with ex-wife Siohvaughn Funches-Wade; Dwyane and Zaya proposed in 2022
“Thank you for showing me that there is more than one way to communicate effectively. You taught me that it is not enough to communicate with my mouth,” he continued.
“I also have to communicate with my two ears and my two eyes. As your father, it is not my job to create a version of myself or direct your future. My role is to be a broker for your hopes, your desires, your dreams.”
“Zaya, you made me a better person just by being who you were born to be. Our little girl, Zaya Wade. Thank you for showing the world what courage looks like. I am proud to have been chosen to stand in my place as your father. Thank you to the NAACP for this incredible honor,” he added.
Dwyane also spoke about him and Gabrielle using their platform: “We stand here today as two people who have worked tirelessly to gain resources and access. As two people who want to use our microphone for what we believe in and what other families are going through.”
“I am intentional when I use my platform. I honor what I have been given and it is my job to raise the voice of others and share my access and resources.”
The actress also took a moment to talk about the couple’s activism. “It is humbling to stand here surrounded by friends and heroes, OGs and icons, all working to advance the lives of black people and pay tribute to an organization that has carried us through more than a century of unrelenting challenge. , pain, triumph and… led to changes.’
And now we stand at the foot of a new era of activism. A new era that requires our collective response to a simple question: should we fight for some or for all of our people?’
Let’s face some hard truths: First, the intersection between black rights and the rights of LGBTQ, trans, and gender non-conforming people remains open. Big understatement.’
Praise: The NBA star took the moment to address his daughter – now legally named Zaya Malachi Airamis Wade – praising her for dealing with “the ignorance in our world”.
She continued: “Even as we call for equality, we consistently fail to extend our advocacy to protect some of the most vulnerable among us. And secondly, black trans people are targeted, terrorized and hunted in this country. Every day, everywhere.”
And it is rarely talked about. In all honesty, we approach this work not so much as activists or leaders, but as parents who love our children and will do whatever it takes to keep them seen, protected and safe.”
“It’s a conversation worth having in a way that builds bridges, that doesn’t fan the flames of hatred or division, that doesn’t empower lawmakers or legal systems to look the other way when black trans people are attacked, ” he added. add them. .
“It no longer drives young people to hate themselves or hurt themselves, it doesn’t cost people their lives. So we look to the future with humility and hope. I am hopeful, we are hopeful, that we can see real change in the fight for justice. That moment when the movement makes room for everyone. Everyone,” Union said at the end of her impassioned speech.
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Ashley Root is an author and celebrity journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a keen eye for all things celebrity, Ashley is always up-to-date on the latest gossip and trends in the world of entertainment.
