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Time of India
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Dwyane Wade's daughter Zaya Wade's modest birthday became a bold stand for something bigger
On the surface, it looked like a glamorous 18th birthday bash, bright lights, bold fashion, and a buzzing Hollywood venue. But behind the sparkle, Zaya Wade's big night held a powerful secret. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now With just a $20 entry ticket, guests weren't only stepping into a party, they were stepping into a movement. Just days before Pride Month, Zaya, alongside her father Dwyane Wade, revealed something far bigger than a celebration. This wasn't just a birthday. It was a mission disguised in glitter and grace. Zaya Wade and Dwyane Wade turn a birthday into a moment of support The event was called The Venus Ascension Ball. It happened just two days before Pride Month started. The location was NeueHouse in Hollywood, California. Zaya planned the night with a clear goal. Tickets cost $20, and every dollar went to Translatable, a platform she created in 2023 with her dad, Dwyane Wade. Translatable is a digital space that supports LGBTQ+ youth. It offers tools, education, and personal stories. It helps young people feel seen and gives families guidance to support them. Many people came to the ball. Dwyane Wade was there. So was his wife, actress , and their daughter, Kaavia Wade. The family showed love and support the whole night. Big brands also helped out. MAC Cosmetics gave $100,000 to the Trans Wellness Center in Zaya's honor. Other sponsors included H&M, the Utah Jazz, and Folx Health. The Trans Wellness Center, run by Marian Marroquin, was the nonprofit partner. It helps trans people in Los Angeles with health care, housing, and education. The party wasn't just about raising money. It was a true ball. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Guests dressed up. There were runway contests with $15,000 in cash prizes. Zaya wore a strapless beaded gown, then changed into a short lace dress. Her cake showed The Birth of Venus, a painting about beauty and new life. Zaya later said, 'It was indescribable. Imagine an explosion of love and light wrapped up into one magical night.' Zaya and Dwyane Wade speak from the heart about their bond Zaya's family has supported her from the start. She came out as transgender in 2020, at just 12 years old. At the time, the Wades were living in Florida. But due to new laws against LGBTQ+ rights, they moved to California. Dwyane Wade said, 'The community wasn't here for Zaya, so the community wasn't here for us.' In May 2024, Dwyane Wade shared a podcast where Zaya joined him as a guest. They talked about their close bond. Dwyane said people don't see how much they work together. He also shared that they received the Elevate Prize Catalyst Award. This award supports their mission to help LGBTQ+ youth. Dwyane explained that Translatable gives these young people a safe online place to connect. It also helps families learn how to support them. Zaya's birthday looked like a party. But it was really about hope, love, and a strong mission. Also Read:
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
19 Celeb Parents With Trans Nonbinary Kids
It was recently an incredibly meaningful day for members of the transgender community. March 31 marks International Transgender Day of Visibility — a day to celebrate transgender people while also raising awareness about the ongoing acts of discrimination and violence that transgender people face. According to the 2024 report from the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, nearly 400 transgender and gender-expansive people lost their lives to fatal acts of violence in the last decade, and 1 in 10 victims were under the age of 21. Right now, new pieces of legislation across the country are under consideration (or already in effect) that would bring immense harm to transgender and non-binary people, especially transgender and nonbinary youth. So when public figures step up and share their love and admiration for their non-binary and trans kids, it makes a huge difference. We're spotlighting some celebrity parents who've constantly shown support to their transgender and nonbinary children, and you're going to love what they have to say. So many of these famous parents — like Jamie Lee Curtis, Dwyane Wade, and Gabrielle Union — have opened up and used their immense platforms to spotlight LGBTQ youth and the bravery of their children who just want to live their most authentic lives. Wade has even gone so far as to partner up with his transgender daughter Zaya to create Translatable, an online resource and safe space for LGBTQIA+ kids and their parents. There are also famous parents, like Cher and Marlon Wayans, who've gotten very candid about their own initial biases and worries as their children transitioned. Ultimately, there's no denying how much these parents love their kids and want them to live their lives to the fullest. As we remember the violence the transgender community faces — both physically and policy-based — take some time to read about these celebrity parents and the love they have for their kids. A version of this article was originally published in Feb. 2024. More from SheKnows Dwyane Wade Advocates for His Daughter Zaya & the Transgender Community at the Met Gala: 'I'm Going to Focus On Acceptance' Best of SheKnows 20 of Serena Williams' Most Adorable Motherhood Moments 30+ Baby Names With Ivy League Vibes — No Degree Required Michelle Obama's Best Mom Quotes — Because We Could All Use a Dose of Her Wisdom Tia Carrere's 19-year-old son Jude, who she shares with ex-husband Simon Wakelin, came out as trans in May 2025. The Lilo & Stitch star revealed that her son walked the red carpet for the premiere, dressed in a black tux with a purple flower lei. 'He doesn't love the spotlight,' she told PEOPLE about her son. 'He's more introverted, so he definitely won't go into acting or singing like I did. But he's a great artist. I don't know what he'll do! Maybe become a doctor or work with animals. He's working with animals right now.' 'He's very matter-of-fact,' the Wayne's World actress added. 'He knows who he is, and he's very happy.' In March 2025, Robert De Niro's adult daughter Airyn — who he shares with ex Toukie Smith — was effectively outed by the media when paparazzi photos of her wearing heeled boots and rocking pink braids started to circulate. A month later, in a candid interview with Them, Airyn opened up about being transgender and her desire to be a role model for trans girls, mixed girls, and people with bigger bodies. 'There's a difference between being visible and being seen,' Airyn said. 'I've been visible. I don't think I've been seen yet.' De Niro then spoke to Variety and said he 'loved and supported' Airyn before she transitioned, and he loves her now. 'I don't know what the big deal is,' the actor said in a statement. 'I love all my children.' Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union have been so forthcoming about their support, love, and admiration for their daughter Zaya, whom Wade shares with former wife Siohvaughn Funches. Over the last few years, Wade and Union have taken every opportunity to share how proud they are of Zaya. 'I've sat back and watched how gracefully you have taken on the public scrutiny,' Wade told his daughter while accepting the NAACP President's Award alongside Union. '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 the ignorance in our world. I admire that you face every day. To say that your village is proud of you is an understatement.' Union added: 'First, the intersection of Black rights and the rights of the LGBTQIA, trans, and gender non-conforming people continues to be a huge understatement, even as we demand equality at the top of our lungs. We consistently fail to extend our advocacy to protect some of our most vulnerable among us.' Whether it's touching tributes like this, or moments of support on the red carpet, Wade and Union have an unconditional love for Zaya. In 2024, Wade and Zaya founded Translatable, which they describe as a 'safe space for LGBTQIA+ youth to express themselves and is a resource hub for our parents, families, and support systems.' Comedian Marlon Wayans always shares his admiration and love for his transgender son, Kai, and has talked about transitioning in his standup. 'Not [about] her, his, their transition, but my transition as a parent going from ignorance and denial to complete unconditional love and acceptance,' he said during an interview, per CBS News, adding, 'I think there's a lot of parents out there that need to have that message.' Wayans continued, saying that 'as a parent, I just want my kids to be free. I want them to be free in spirit, free in thought, free to be themselves … The more you live your truth, the happier your existence.' During 2024 Pride Month, the White Chicks actor went after homophobic trolls who flooded his Instagram comments. 'Yeah and just for the HATE MONGERS … I'm posting ANOTHER. As a father of a child in the LGBTQ+ community I show my support. Zero f*cks what people think. If i lost you… GOOD! … How can you love anyone when you're too busy judging … HAPPY PRIDE to all my friends, fam, fans and loved ones. I am happy you're happy … period,' he captioned a second of many posts. Oscar-winner Jamie Lee Curtis is the proud mom of daughter Ruby. On Trans Visibility Day 2023, the actress took to Instagram and penned a heartfelt letter of support, writing, 'Love is love. A mother's love knows no judgment. As a mother, I stand in total solidarity with my children as they move forward in the universe as their authentic selves with their own minds and bodies and ideas. On this trans visibility day my daughter and I are visible. #transvisibilityday.' In 2024, Sister Wives star Meri Brown opened up on The Sarah Fraser Show about how public opinion has impacted her transgender and queer child Leon. 'The commentary that I get about Leon is very polarizing,' she said. 'It's just gonna be that way. I always appreciate the support, the comments of support I get, and obviously, I don't appreciate the hate that comes at me.' 'Leon and I have a good relationship and I don't talk about them a lot because they want to remain private,' she continued. On Transgender Day of Visibility 2023, Brown shared a photo of Leon and their partner Audrey Kriss on her Instagram Story and wrote, 'I see you! I love you! I got you!' She then added a sticker that said, 'Protect trans kids.' Linkin Park singer Chester Bennington's child Draven publicly came out as transgender on Valentine's Day 2024. 'As today is a day to celebrate love and what love truly means, whether it's for a partner, family, or ourselves, I thought it would be the perfect time to show some love to myself,' Draven said, per Billboard. 'For a long time, I tried to be someone, someone I truly wasn't on the inside. Ignoring it worked for a while, but continuously coming to the crossroads of being happy or being complacent was one I couldn't keep crossing Later that year, they made the 'best decision' of their life by beginning hormone replacement therapy. Sadly, Draven's dad died in 2017, but mom Samantha Bennington quickly showed her support in the comments. 'I'm so proud of you. I love you with all my heart and soul,' she wrote. 'You're my favorite human on the planet. I just want you happy and healthy forever and always.' Sting is a proud father of six, and he shares a nonbinary child, Eliot Sumner, with wife Trudie Styler. Eliot has joined their father in the entertainment industry, and in a 2015 interview, Eliot said they'd rather be referred to as a musician than either gender. 'I don't believe in any specifications,' they said. 'I think forever I was trying to figure out maybe…what I am. But I don't think anyone should feel pressured to have any kind of label or tag on them. We should treat everybody the same. Me, I don't like to be put down to a specific thing. We're all human beings.' Cher was very open about how she initially handled her son Chaz Bono's transition, telling SheKnows in 2020, 'It took me a minute. Because you've been with a child for 40 years, and then all of a sudden … but you know what? Chaz was so happy!' The actress and singer said she used a simple analogy to understand her son's experience and talk to other parents of transgender children. 'It's like, if I woke up in the morning, and I wasn't me anymore and I didn't feel like me and I couldn't be me, I would just be beyond grief stricken. And that's what I have to tell a mother or father: You are who you are, but how would you feel if you were someone else and you couldn't be that someone else? That's how I had to get it. And, you know, I didn't do it all that well in the beginning. So, I can't take too many kudos, but now, it's fabulous.' In June 2022, Lopez introduced one of her twins, Emme Maribel Muñiz, at a concert using gender-neutral pronouns. 'The last time we performed together was in a big stadium like this,' Lopez said, per CNN. 'And I ask them to sing with me all the time and they won't.' Lopez referred to the moment as 'a very special occasion. They are very, very busy. Booked. And pricey,' she said. 'They cost me when they come out. But they're worth every single penny because they're my favorite duet partner of all time.' Lopez tries to keep her kids' lives as private as possible, so while she has yet to confirm the way Emme identifies, this may have been her way of showing Emme support. In 2018, Cynthia Nixon showed love and support to her son Seph with a touching tribute on Instagram. 'I'm so proud of my son Samuel Joseph Mozes (called Seph) who graduated college this month. I salute him and everyone else marking today's [Trans Day of Action],' her caption read. Actor Dean McDermott shared a very sweet shout-out to his child during a screening for his film My Fake Boyfriend back in June 2022. 'The thing I love about this movie is I got to share it with my 15-year-old who identifies as trans and my gay son,' McDermott said. 'I love that they get a safe space to come and watch this.' In 2019, Annette Bening gushed about her son with Warren Beatty, Stephen, who began transitioning when he was 14. 'He's managed something that's very challenging with great style and great intelligence,' she told AARP, adding, 'He's an articulate, thoughtful person, and I'm very, very proud of him.' In 2016, Beatty called Stephen a 'hero,' telling Vanity Fair, 'He's a revolutionary, a genius, and my hero, as are all my children.' In January 2022, actress Ally Sheedy opened up about life with her transgender son, Beckett. 'I want him to be able to do what he wants to do with his life and have the freedom to make his own choices and surround himself with a loving, supportive community,' she told People. 'So far, he's been able to do that.' '[As a parent] I've learned a lot,' she continued. 'Beck doesn't hide anything. And I feel very comfortable talking to anyone whose kid is just beginning the process of transition. Parents need to educate themselves.' Singer Sade's son documented his transition on social media and gave his mom a touching shout-out. 'Thank you for staying by my side these past 6 months Mumma. Thank you for fighting with me to complete the man I am,' he said on social media, per People. 'Thank you for your encouragement when things are hard, for the love you give me. The purest heart. I love you so much. Queen of queens.' Oscar-winning actress Marcia Gay Harden expressed her love for all three of her children during the Drag Isn't Dangerous telethon in May 2023, saying, 'What drives me is — my children are all queer. My eldest child is non-binary. My son is gay. My youngest is fluid. And you know, they are my kids and they teach me every day,' she said, according to People. In June 2020, The Walking Dead actor Khary Payton shared a moving tribute to his son on Instagram. 'This my kid. One of the most happy, well-adjusted individuals I've ever known. My son, Karter. Karter with a K because it reminded him of my name. He chose it. You see, he was born female but has always identified as a boy,' Payton wrote. 'He thought it would be cool if I announced it on social media. I told him that there would be so many supporters but also a lot of jerks who would be harsh. He said, 'Yeah, I know about trolls, daddy. I can handle trolls.' Man, there is nothing more beautiful than watching your child feel the joy of exploring what it means to be true to themselves. This is his journey, and I am here for it. I hope you all have the opportunity to feel the unquenchable love that I am feeling right now.'
Time of India
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
"I want my daughter to have the same role models": How Dwyane Wade's daughter led him to invest in the Chicago Sky and reimagine the future of the WNBA
Image viaDwyane Wade spent 16 years building a Hall of Fame NBA career. But nearly a decade after hanging up his jersey, he's taken on a new role—one as personal as it is professional: part-owner of the Chicago Sky . His 2023 investment in the WNBA franchise wasn't about headlines or business strategy; it was about family. Specifically, his daughter. The role models girls deserve: How Dwyane Wade's daughter sparked his Chicago Sky investment In August 2024, Dwyane Wade sat down for an interview on CBS and pulled the curtain back on what led him to the Sky. It came down to this: his daughter, Zaya, deserved the same kind of heroes his son, Zaire, had growing up. 'The big part of that is that my son, Zaire, grew up, and he had a dream of being in the NBA. He had a dream of being like his favorite players,' Wade said. 'You understand the importance of role models, and so, I want my daughter to have that same feeling.' That idea stuck with him. Zaya , a proud transgender teen and public advocate, didn't always have athletes to look up to who reflected her identity or the future she dreamed of. Wade wanted to change that, not just for Zaya, but for girls everywhere who needed to see what was possible. Right now, few players represent that kind of possibility like rookie forward Angel Reese . She's brought her signature fire from LSU to the pros and is already turning heads with the Sky. To Wade, she's one of the bold new faces of the league, confident, authentic, and unshakably herself. Someone like Zaya and millions of girls could point to and say, 'That could be me.' Beyond the sidelines: How Dwyane Wade is helping transform the WNBA Wade's investment isn't a passive one. He's not just sitting courtside and cashing checks, he's leaning in, learning, and trying to figure out where he can make a real impact. On the 'Unapologetically Angel' podcast, he talked about the responsibility that comes with being a part-owner of a WNBA team. And it starts with listening. DWade & Angel Talk Dealing With Haters, Sacrificing To Win + A Special Appearance From Gab Union 'I'm a fan of the game, I'm someone who knows the game of basketball,' he said. 'But I'm also someone who's willing to sit and learn and listen.' It's about understanding what the WNBA needs: more visibility, more resources, more respect, and helping to make that happen. Wade's goal isn't to step in and save anything; it's to show up, do the work, and use his platform to push the women's game forward. Wade's work with the Sky lines up with everything he and his family have been championing off the court. In recent years, he's become a prominent voice for LGBTQ rights , especially through Translatable, the project he launched with Zaya to support queer youth. His activism isn't performative, it's deeply personal. And investing in the Sky is part of the same mission: helping build a world where young people, especially girls and LGBTQ kids, feel seen and supported. There's something powerful about the way all of this connects. Basketball brought Wade fame, wealth, and purpose. Now, he's using that platform to give others, including his daughter, a chance to dream just as big. Also Read: 'We getting a chance to see who can really hoop' — Dwyane Wade backs referees for letting physicality play out Dwyane Wade's move into WNBA ownership isn't a career pivot — it's an evolution. He's still chasing wins, but now, they're measured in representation, opportunity, and impact. And this time, he's playing for something bigger than a championship: he's playing for his daughter, and for every kid who deserves to believe they belong. The Chicago Sky are part of a bigger vision: one where the next generation of athletes, no matter their gender or identity, can grow up with heroes who look like them. And that future feels a lot closer when someone like Wade is helping to build it.
Daily Mail
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Dwyane Wade's transgender daughter, 17, enjoys Beyonce concert with stepmom Gabrielle Union
Gabrielle Union treated her transgender stepdaughter Zaya Wade to Beyonce 's Inglewood show for her Cowboy Carter Tour on Monday. The teenage daughter of retired NBA star Dwyane Wade matched her stepmom in cowboy boots as they posed at the concert together. Zaya, 17, completed her look with a white minidress and a cropped jean jacket, while Gabrielle sizzled in a leather miniskirt, a tasseled tank, and a matching Stetson. Last summer, Zaya and Dwyane co-founded the non-profit organization Translatable - a digital arts initiative designed to empower trans youth of color and their families. 'My dad tries to scare any person I have interest in,' Zaya confessed to Seventeen in February. 'He's kind of intimidating. The people I've dated have all been afraid of him in the first interaction. He's gigantic and he has this deep, booming voice. But the facade only lasts for so long and you actually see his real personality. He's a teddy bear.' Dwyane welcomed Zaya and his 23-year-old son Zaire during his five-year marriage to high school sweetheart Siohvaughn Funches, which ended in 2007. Gabrielle publicly announced Zaya's gender affirmation at age 12, and said that she's 'instilled such a confidence in my femininity'. Zaya recalled to Who What Wear earlier this month: 'I tried to compensate in every single way, and it was so draining. '[Gabrielle] was so adamant about telling me that I don't have to look or act a certain way - I can just be me. And, oh my god, I thank her every day for it.' Turning heads: Gabrielle wore $375 Tecovas 'The Abbey' boots selected by stylist Thomas Christos Kikis
