Dwyane Wade Says Supporting His Son at Pride Is His "Job as a Father"
Dwyane Wade has opened up about supporting his son's attendance at Pride this year.
"My job as a father is to facilitate their lives and to support them and be behind them in whatever they want to do," Wade told Variety.
In April, 12-year-old Zion was accompanied to the 11th annual Miami Beach Pride parade by his stepmom Gabrielle Union along with other family members.
Dwyane Wade has opened up about his public support of his 12-year-old son Zion, who attended this year's 11th annual Miami Beach Pride celebration in Miami. Zion was accompanied by his stepmom Gabrielle Union, his 17-year-old older brother Zaire Blessing Dwyane, his five-month-old sister Kaavia James, and other friends and family members.
Though Wade himself was unavailable to attend the parade because he was playing in a Miami Heat game in Toronto at the time, he publicly affirmed his support for his son on Instagram. “We support each other with Pride!” Wade wrote. “Zion had his [own] cheering section today. Wish I was there to see you smile kid!”
In a new interview with Variety, Wade opened up about his public support for his son. "I don’t really talk about it much because it’s Zion’s story to tell,” he said, explaining, "I think as a family, we should support each other. That’s our job. And my job as a father is to facilitate their lives and to support them and be behind them in whatever they want to do.” Amen to that!
Asked about the backlash to his Instagram post, Wade admitted that he was surprised. "This is my job as a father,” he re-emphasized. "I’m very uneasy about accolades that come from supporting my kids or the negativity that comes from it. I’m doing what every parent has to do. Once you bring kids into this world, you become unselfish. It’s my job to be their role model, to be their voice in my kids’ lives, to let them know you can conquer the world. So, go and be your amazing self and we’re going to sit back and just love you.”
As Michael Arceneaux wrote on OprahMag.com at the time, Wade's public support for Zion should serve as an example to every parent, but most especially parents of LGBTQ children. Despite the progress that has been made, homophobia remains an immediate and terrifying daily reality for far too many people, and every child deserves to feel safe and supported by the people who raise them.
As Wade put it to Variety, " I have to say to most parents, get to know your kids. Don’t put your wants and needs on them.”
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