Actress Gabrielle Union has taken to social media to introduce her 12-year-old trans stepdaughter, Zaya, to the world.
Union, who is married to former NBA player Dwyane Wade, shared a video of Wade and Zaya riding in a golf buggy together last week.
"Meet Zaya," she wrote. "She's compassionate, loving, whip smart and we are so proud of her."
Union added: "It’s Ok to listen to, love & respect your children exactly as they are. Love and light good people."
In the short accompanying video, Zaya can be heard giving advice to others like her.
“Be true, and don’t really care what the stereotypical way of being you is,” Zaya says. “I know it can get tough, definitely, but I think you push through and you be the best you.”
On the same day, Wade appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, speaking candidly about his daughter for the first time.
"Me and my wife, my wife Gabrielle Union...we are proud parents of a child in the LGBTQ+ community and we're proud allies as well," he told DeGeneres. "We take our roles and responsibility as parents very seriously."
The retired sportsman continued: "Zion, born as a boy, came home and said, 'Hey, so I want to talk to you guys. I think going forward I am ready to live my truth. I want to be referenced as 'she' and 'her.' I would love for you guys to call me Zaya.'
"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 that we can, the best feedback that we can."
Wade added: "Now it's our job to one, go out and get information, to reach out to every relationship that we have. We're just trying to figure out as much information as we can to make sure that we give our child the best opportunity to be her best self."
Later that day, Union returned to Twitter with a message of thanks.
"Huge huge huge THANK YOU to everyone whose dms I slid into, friends, & family who provided information, resources, love & encouragement," she tweeted.
"We are humble LGBTQ+ allies with ALOT to learn & grateful for all the support. We encourage yall to check us as needed."
You can watch Wade's Ellen segment below:
