Gabrielle Union Shuts Down Critics Over Trans Daughter Support

Gabrielle Union is standing her ground, and she is not holding back. The actress and activist is once again making headlines for fiercely defending her support of Zaya Wade, her transgender stepdaughter.

Union, who has never shied away from speaking out, is shutting down critics who question her parenting choices.

In a bold and emotional response, she made it clear that her love for Zaya isn’t up for debate, no matter what anyone says.

Since Zaya came out as transgender in 2020, Union and her husband, Dwyane Wade, have been vocal advocates for her journey.

In her cover story for Marie Claire’s Motherhood Issue, the mom of one reaffirmed her support for the 17-year-old, which she believed stemmed from unconditional love.

“People talk about my parenting decisions. Loving my kid unapologetically out loud? Not putting someone out? The bar is on the damn floor,” Gabrielle Union said.

The 52-year-old revealed that her approach to parenting was listening and learning. She believed in leaning into love and seeking knowledge from experts and those with lived experiences.

“There's not a manual. I leaned into love and then asked questions—whether that be doctors, child psychologists, people who have lived experience—I'm leaning into that,” she said.

Despite Union and Dwyane’s supportive stance over the years, the couple has faced criticism from various angles.

Some have questioned their parenting decisions, while others have expressed discomfort with their openness about Zaya’s identity.

Nevertheless, the “Think Like A Man” star remains unfazed. During the interview, Union explained that she saw her and her husband’s actions not as extraordinary but as the bare minimum any parent should offer.

“Nothing we have done as parents feels revolutionary or groundbreaking. It just feels like common sense, kindness, compassionate. All the things that you wish your parents showed you when there's some aspect of your life or your personality that may not fit down the middle of the road,” the doting mom shared.

Union also noted that being transgender is who Zaya was born to be, and it is her job as a mom to keep her safe, protected, loved, and educated.

This isn’t the first time the Oscar award winner has shared her thoughts on parenting a child in the LGBTQ+ community.

In 2022, Union dished out advice to parents struggling to accept their LGBTQ+ kids.

In an interview with Buzzfeed, she said, “As our children show up, it is our job to believe them when they tell us who they are and not impose our dreams, hopes, fears, and desires on them.”

Union shared that parents should be loving, compassionate, and protective guides for their children, adding that they must learn to respect their children’s choices.

“We do not believe in any kind of shaming for existing. That is bizarre, cruel, and harmful. It's important for us to live and love out loud. We didn't exactly understand why [supporting Zaya's trans identity] was a thing because it's like, we love all our kids out loud,” she added.

Gabrielle Union isn’t just a good mom but also a supportive wife. In 2023, the Hollywood star’s husband was diagnosed with kidney cancer, and she has been by his side since then.

In an interview on “Today,” the former NBA star shared details about his cancer diagnosis.

Dwyane revealed he visited the doctor for a routine check following his dad’s prostate cancer diagnosis.

Although he experienced stomach aches and changes in urination, the 43-year-old didn’t think anything serious about the situation.

However, after two MRI scans, the doctors confirmed a suspicious mass on his kidney.

In December 2023, Gabrielle Union accompanied her husband to the hospital, where he underwent a successful surgery.

Eventually, Dwyane would learn that the mass on his kidney was stage 1 cancer.

Two years have passed since the diagnosis, and Dwyane is doing okay.

In an interview during the New York premiere of her new film “Riff Raff,” Gabrielle Union shared an update on Dwyane’s health.

“He's cancer-free now. He was smart to delay talking about his diagnosis and the surgery for over a year to give us all a little time to make peace with it and let all of our very intense fears kind of dissipate a little bit, but he's brave,” she told Access Hollywood.

She also noted that she was proud of Dwyane for choosing to be vulnerable and share his journey with the world, which she believed was inspiring.