Retired NBA superstar Dwyane Wade and his wife Gabrielle Union made a difficult choice to leave their $22 million/Ksh3 billion Miami home for the sake of their son who transitioned to be a girl.
The celebrity couple had to leave Miami, Florida in order to prioritize the love and safety of their trans teenage daughter, Zaya.
Amidst changes in Florida’s political climate, the introduction of new legislation has prompted cautionary thoughts.
Florida Republican governor Ron DeSantis in May 2023 signed a new bill into law that restricts gender-affirming care focused largely on transgender children.
The new law that Republican presidential candidate signed last month also made it difficult – even impossible – for many transgender adults to get treatment.
The law imposes felony penalties on health care providers who administer gender-affirming care to kids under 18.
The laws in Florida and other Republican-led state such as Texas are part of the GOP’s coordinated national campaign against LGBTQ rights in state legislatures.
Florida alone has already passed more anti-LGBTQ legislation this session than it did in the seven years prior.
Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union, renowned for their support and advocacy for their trans daughter Zaya, made a decision to leave Florida influenced by their concerns for their family’s well-being.
By choosing to move, they aimed to proactively address potential challenges or risks associated with their current environment. The relocation served as a proactive step to ensure the safety, well-being, and peace of mind of their family.
As a pre-emptive measure, Dwyane Wade made the challenging choice to relocate his family.
In a statement, he emphasized that the safety and well-being of his loved ones were his top priority.
“I don’t live in the state. A lot of people don’t know that. I have to make decisions for my family, not just personal, individual decisions… Yes, I had to educate myself, and yes, I had to get a better understanding. And yes, I had to lose some friends along the process, but I never wavered on loving my kids and trying to find space to get the chance to understand them,” he said.
Throughout their journey with their trans daughter, Wade has made significant efforts to educate himself and foster understanding. He recognizes the importance of accepting and supporting his children’s identities, emphasizing the significance of love and acceptance in reducing harm to trans individuals.
Despite facing criticism and losing friends along the way, Wade remains steadfast in his love for his children. His unwavering commitment to acceptance has been a guiding principle in navigating the challenges they have faced.
The decision made by Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union to move from their Miami home illustrates the serious effects of legislation that specifically affects the transgender community.
