For actress Gabrielle Union and retired basketball star Dwyane Wade, their inspiration is their children. During an interview with Time magazine, after they were named one of Time’s most influential people, Union talked about how proud she is of their daughters for choosing to live life freely.
While talking about their almost 2-year-old daughter Kaavia James, Union said, per People, “Freedom exists in so many different forms, but we are so blessed to be in a household where we have free children.”
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“We have a daughter that is almost 2, that the world has seen, is bound to nothing but whatever is in her heart and on her soul at the moment,” Union continued. “And it’s beautiful to watch truly free children.”
Union also talked about their other daughter, 13-year-old Zaya. As Mamas Uncut previously reported, Zaya came out as transgender late last year. Union and Wade have been publicly very supportive of their daughter’s transition.
“We have another daughter who is 13, who has the freedom to be exactly who she is, who she was born to be, to be her most authentic self. She doesn’t ask permission to exist. It’s wildly inspiring.”
And Wade whole-heartedly agrees with his wife. “The way they look at us, the way they look to us, for leadership and guidance, for their moments of bravery,” that’s what inspires him.
But because their love and support for Zaya may have been what landed them on Time’s 100 Most Influential list, and even though they humbled by the honor, Union and Wade admit to feeling weird about it. “We’re still kind of getting used to being recognized for doing things that have really kind of come naturally like loving your kids as they are. It’s just weird to get credit for that,” Union told Good Morning America.
As Union put it bluntly, some people “needed to see other families just love their children out loud, unapologetically.” In fact, by supporting Zaya’s journey, Wade said it allowed them to see the world differently.
“She’s helped us see, you know, life differently, and I’m thankful for her. She’s allowed me to be informed where I can help, you know, in the same process. Right now it’s a lot of people in the Black community that that will not accept someone of transgender, you know, and look at them as different and not worthy. Not worthy of life.”
Now Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union Hope to Help Others As Well
Wade also told Good Morning America that he is still learning to find his voice as well. And as he continues to search, he says he will always “lead with my heart. I lead with love.”
Now, Gabrielle Union and the father of four hope to be of service to others going forward. Because in the world we live in today, being able to talk about the things going on in life is so very important.
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