Gabrielle Union Opens Up About Stepdaughter Zaya Wade’s Coming Out Journey, Says She Felt ‘Outed’ On Instagram
Back in February, Gabrielle Union introduced the world to Zaya Wade when the now-13-year-old came out as transgender. It was a move the some people were against but was also widely supported by her fans. In a new interview, Union reflects on her stepdaughter Zaya’s coming out experiences.
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While appearing on the first episode of Facebook Watch’s Peace of Mind With Taraji, the 48-year-old actress explained to host Taraji P. Henson and Tracie Jade Jenkins:
“Zaya’s peace is nonnegotiable,” says Union. “As Zaya gathered more language, she was able to tell us about her identity. She was able to tell us about her sexuality. She was able to tell us ‘I’m trans.’ And she says, ‘I’ve come out a few times. I came out to my teacher in third grade, and then when you guys posted that picture of me in Chicago at my birthday party.’ And it’s just Zaya standing next to her cake,” Union says of the social media snapshot. “And that picture was dissected on certain Black blogs, and the comments were the guessing as to who Zaya was and why. … She said, ‘It felt like I was outed, and I was just standing next to my cake,’” PEOPLE Magazine quoted.
While Dwyane and Gabrielle are supportive of Zaya, the Bring It On and former NBA star admitted they still have a lot to learn.
“She asked for a demisexual flag for her birthday, and Dwyane’s like to me, ‘Do you know what that is?'” Gabrielle joked of the couple having to look the word up.
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