'Pose' actress Mj Rodriguez praises Dwyane Wade for support of trans daughter
Mj Rodriguez is praising Dwyane Wade for supporting his child after the former NBA player announced that his 12-year-old, born Zion, now goes by Zaya.
The 38-year-old athlete opened up about his kid’s decision to use she/her pronouns during an appearance on The Ellen Show on Tuesday, sharing what he and his wife Gabrielle Union are doing to make sure their daughter feels supported, including the couple’s effort to reach out to the LGBTQ community.
“Internally, now it’s our job to go out and get information, to reach out to every relationship that we have,” Wade told the TV host. “My wife reached out to everybody on the cast of Pose. And we’re just trying to figure out as much information as we can to make sure that we give our child the opportunity to be her best self.”
Union, who Wade credited with reaching out to all of the family’s resources, tweeted to thank those who “provided resources, love & encouragement,” after Zaya came home to announce that she’d be using the pronouns she and her going forward.
Huge huge huge THANK YOU to everyone whose dms I slid into, friends, & family who provided information, resources, love & encouragement. We are humble LGBTQ+ allies with ALOT to learn & grateful for all the support. We encourage yall to check us as needed 🤗 Again, thank you!
— Gabrielle Union (@itsgabrielleu) February 11, 2020
But Wade’s words on television, where he shared that he and Union are “proud parents of a child in the LGBTQ+ community” and proud allies, are what will be most impactful, according to Rodriguez, who spoke with HuffPost Editor-in-Chief Lydia Polgreen at the 2020 MAKERS Conference.
“It’s great that a young father who is African American is shedding light on their child because so many African American individuals get this stigma that there is no love in the community, that there is no acceptance in the community. And in reality, there is,” she shared. “It’s just that it’s not seen on the broad scale, and it’s unfortunate.”
People everywhere have joined Rodriguez in her praise of the parents who are demonstrating what it means to be fierce advocates for their children.
This is beautiful. The Wades continue to show us what it looks like to actively love and support queer children. Everyone needs to be taking notice. https://t.co/F3IVPxg1RA
— Preston Mitchum (@PrestonMitchum) February 11, 2020
Gender nonconforming children deserve to be heard, loved, and supported in their authenticity. @DwyaneWade + @itsgabrielleu continue to demonstrate phenomenal parenting with their love for Zaya! https://t.co/2OCsKPWN5m
— Raquel Willis (@RaquelWillis_) February 11, 2020
Thank YOU and @DwyaneWade for being such great examples as parents, especially as parents of an LGBTQ kid. Those of us who grew up feeling like we had to hide who we are, for whatever reason, appreciate your love and vocal support being part of the changing tides 🙏💕
— Mark Sundstrom (@106th) February 11, 2020
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