Dwyane Wade talks moving family out of Florida over anti-LGBTQ+ legislation

Dwyane Wade, a Utah Jazz part-owner and former Miami Heat star, revealed in a recent interview that he moved his family out of Florida because of that state’s recent litany of anti-LGBTQ legislation.

Wade’s 15-year-old daughter, Zaya, came out as transgender in 2020.

“That’s another reason why I don’t live in that state,” he said in Thursday’s episode.

“A lot of people don’t know that. I have to make decisions for my family, not just personal, individual decisions. Obviously, the taxes is great. Having Wade County is great. But my family would not be accepted or feel comfortable there. And so that’s one of the reasons why I don’t live there.”

Wade said in Thursday’s episode

Wade has been a strong advocate for LGBTQ rights following his daughter Zaya coming out as transgender in 2020.

While accepting the President’s Award at the 2023 NAACP Awards, the former NBA star and his wife Gabrielle Union-Wade praised Zaya for her strength and determination to be wholeheartedly herself.

He spoke out against hypocritical politicians who say they are a fan of Wade but implement anti LGBTQ+ policies.

“I’ve sat back and watched how gracefully you have taken on the public scrutiny,” Wade said to his daughter.

“And even though it’s not easy, I watched you walk out of the house every morning as yourself. I admire how you handle the ignorance in our world … that you face every day.”

The married couple also shared the importance of using their platforms to amplify the voices of all and share the resources and access they’ve been given.

“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,” Union-Wade said in their acceptance speech.

“Black trans people are being targeted, terrorized and hunted in this country, every day, everywhere. And there’s rarely a whisper about it.”

The teen was finally granted a legal name and gender change in February of this year, and Wade and step-mum Gabrielle Union have been very outspoken in their support for Zaya over the years.