Xuenou > Celebrity > People Are Thanking Dwyane Wade And Gabrielle Union For Treating Their Daughter With The Respect Every LGBT+ Child Deserves
People Are Thanking Dwyane Wade And Gabrielle Union For Treating Their Daughter With The Respect Every LGBT+ Child Deserves
People Are Thanking Dwyane Wade And Gabrielle Union For Treating Their Daughter With The Respect Every LGBT+ Child Deserves,"I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the love and support you give your beautiful daughter," one fan shared when Dwyane Wade shared a clip of their now-viral NAACP acceptance speech. "If only I had a father like you when I was coming up."

People Are Thanking Dwyane Wade And Gabrielle Union For Treating Their Daughter With The Respect Every LGBT+ Child Deserves

On Saturday, Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade were jointly recognized with the President’s Award for special achievement and distinguished public service at the 54th NAACP Image Awards.

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“Thank y’all for being the standard,” one person wrote to Dwyane Wade after he shared a clip of their speech on Instagram.

Instagram: @dwyanewade / Via instagram.com

“An example of what unconditional love looks like,” another chimed in.

Instagram: @dwyanewade / Via instagram.com

Members of the LGBT+ community also joined the conversation and thanked Dwyane and Gabrielle for being the parents they wish they had when growing up. “I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the love and support you give your beautiful daughter,” one user wrote. “If only I had a father like you when I was coming up.”

Instagram: @dwyanewade / Via instagram.com

“I am fully weeping right now,” another person added. “The trauma of having the world try and legislate us out of existence while we are being hunted is so heavy. … Thank you for speaking this word. Thank you for standing 10 toes down for us. Thank you for being the kind of parents and people Zaya needs and deserves.”

Instagram: @dwyanewade / Via instagram.com

Even other parents of trans youth showed their appreciation. “I am a mom to a trans son,” one mother shared. “It’s been so hard for me and for him. But love has no limits and no boundaries.”

Instagram: @dwyanewade / Via instagram.com

People commend the couple for being an example of how parents should take the time to “learn and listen to the needs of your children.”

Instagram: @dwyanewade / Via instagram.com

Because every child deserves “parents who [stand] beside them in such a fashion.”

Instagram: @gabunion / Via instagram.com
Instagram: @gabunion / Via instagram.com

According to The Trevor Project, trans youth experience high levels of depression, sexual violence, and suicidal thoughts. And, sadly, the trans community experiences victimization at a disproportionately high rate when compared to their cisgender counterparts. Allyship, both inside and outside of the home, can be the first step in helping to alleviate the problem.

JD they/them @jd_occasionally So many young black trans kids are forced into homelessness or end their own lives at a young age because they don’t have love within their household. To see Zaya Wade be nurtured and loved by her parents publicly is a beautiful example of what every black trans kid deserves.

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Twitter: @jd_occasionally

If you’d like to help, you can find resources for understanding gender identities here, crisis support here, and donate to the cause here.

If you or someone you know has experienced anti-LGBTQ violence or harassment, you can contact the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs hotline at 1-212-714-1141.

And peer-support services are available at the Trans Lifeline. You can call the hotline at 1-(877-) 565-8860.