Zaya Wade has been breaking barriers and winning hearts since she came out as a trans girl at just 12 years old. “She’s thinking about a larger community, and so I’m damn proud of her as a father,” Dwyane Wade once said. With parents like Wade and Gabrielle Union supporting her journey, Zaya’s inspiring story has touched many. Recently, she received well-deserved recognition at the Out100 celebration, but her efforts don’t stop at personal accolades. This holiday season, Zaya took it a step further by spreading warmth and joy within the trans community.

Earlier this year, Dwyane Wade and Zaya introduced the Translatable Project, a safe space where LGBTQIA+ youth can truly be themselves. Designed as a resource hub for families and supporters alike, the project is already making a difference.

Recently, Translatable shared glimpses of its latest holiday initiative on social media, revealing co-founder Zaya’s continued commitment to uplifting her community. “Happy Holidays from Translatable!” the post said, adding that Zaya and her grandmother Jolinda Wade had brought festive cheer to the Trans Wellness Center in Downtown LA.

But the celebrations didn’t stop there. Zaya’s mother, Gabrielle Union, lent her unwavering support through her brand Flawless by Gabrielle Union. Professional hairstylist Jonathan Van Ness’s JVN Hair also joined hands, alongside powerhouse brands like UGG and Saie, to ensure the initiative reached its fullest potential.

Zaya’s advocacy hasn’t gone unnoticed. The 17-year-old was invited to the Out100 Gala, an event honoring LGBTQ+ leaders, just last week. “I’m just so honored to be honored,” she said, her joy evident to be amongst the icons of the community. “It’s just like so much happiness and love for the community,” Zaya shared.

This year’s Out100 also spotlighted luminaries like Sheryl Lee Ralph and Cynthia Erivo, adding even more prestige to the evening. As the youngest honoree on the list, Zaya held her own among seasoned advocates. While her achievements speak volumes, so does the unwavering support from her parents.

D-Wade and Gab transformed as parents for Zaya

It wasn’t always easy for Dwyane Wade to embrace and understand LGBTQ+ identities. Back in 2019, he admitted to having to confront his own ignorance. Reflecting on his journey, he shared, “I had to look myself in the mirror and say, ‘What if your son comes home and tells you he’s gay? What are you going to do? How are you going to be? How are you going to act?’”

Not long after, Wade appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show to share an important family update: Zaya had come out as transgender. Wade and his wife, Gabrielle Union, knew they wanted Zaya to live her truth fearlessly. “We take our roles and responsibility as parents very seriously,” Wade said, calling themselves proud allies of LGBTQ+ community. His goal? To give Zaya the “best opportunity to be her best self.”

Wade has also emphasized the importance of listening as a parent, especially during pivotal moments. “When our child comes home with a question… an issue… anything, it’s our job as parents to listen to that,” he said. Union, too, has embraced Zaya’s identity with open arms. In 2022, she explained how Zaya’s coming out deepened their connection.

“Now she is completely herself, and so I know her, not her representative,” she shared. That authenticity, both from Zaya and her parents, has redefined their bond in the most beautiful way possible.