Gabrielle Union-Wade and Dwyane Wade Deliver Impassioned Speech Advocating for LGBTQ Rights at NAACP Image Awards
Angelique Jackson Gabrielle Union-Wade and Dwyane Wade were honored with the President’s Awards at the 54th annual NAACP Image Awards for their philanthropic work and vocal support of the LGBTQIA community.
On the red carpet, NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson told Variety that the Wades were selected specifically for the way they’ve privately and publicly supported their daughter Zaya Wade, who came out as transgender in 2020. “I love the way they stood up and are standing up for their child,” Johnson explained. “We have five kids — for me it’s very significant for a father to stand strong, a mother to stand strong in support of their child.“ The special honor came just one day after the 15-year-old was granted the right to legally change her name and gender.
She is now legally known as Zaya Malachi Airamis Wade. For his portion of the speech, Wade used the opportunity to speak directly to Zaya, thanking his daughter for opening his eyes to how to be a better advocate. “As your father, all I’ve wanted to do was get it right,” he began. “I’ve sat back and watch how gracefully you’ve taken on a public public scrutiny.
And even though it’s not easy, I watched you walk out of that house every morning. As yourself. I admire how you’ve handled the ignorance in our world.
