Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union Set an Example for Parents of Trans Kids

Former basketball player Dwyane Wade and Being Mary Jane star Gabrielle Union announced earlier this week that one of their kids is trans, providing a much-needed example of how to support your child should they tell you that they want to transition.

Wade popped by Ellen DeGeneres’ talk show to make the announcement, ESPN reports. In an interview segment that aired on Tuesday, the retired NBA All-Star told the Ellen host that the younger of his two children with first wife Siohvaughn Funches is a transgender girl whose name is Zaya and that her pronouns are she, her, and hers.

While even the most well-intentioned cis parents might stress over what to do if their kid told them that they’re trans, Wade made his and Union’s compassionate, affirming response sound like a no-brainer. “When our child comes home with a question, when our child comes home with an issue, when our child comes home with anything, it's our job as parents to listen to that, to give them the best information we can, the best feedback we can," he told DeGeneres. "And that doesn't change because sexuality is now involved."

It really is that easy!

Zaya commented on the announcement herself in a video tweeted by Union on Tuesday.