Appearing on The Ellen DeGeneres Show Wade revealed his now daughter’s new name is Zaya.
The retired NBA star talked to Ellen about the support he and Union have provided to Zaya, “First of all, me and my wife Gabrielle, we are proud parents of a child in the LGBTQ+ community and we are proud allies as well… Once Zaya, our 12-year-old, came home… first, Zion. I don’t know if everyone knows, originally named Zion. Zion, born as a boy, came home and said, ‘Hey, so I want to talk to you guys… I think going forward, I’m ready to live my truth. And I want to be referenced as she and her. I’d love for you guys to call me Zaya.’”
“We take our roles and responsibilities as parents very seriously. So when our child comes home with a question, our child comes home with an issue, our child comes home with anything, it’s our job as parents to listen to that, to give them the best information we can, to give the best feedback we can. And that doesn’t change because sexuality is now involved in it.'”
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AG9-Q6UabfQ?start=36&w=560&h=315]Union also announced the name change, posting a video on Twitter of Wade and Zaya talking through Zaya’s understanding and acceptance of herself.
Meet Zaya. She's compassionate, loving, whip smart and we are so proud of her. It’s Ok to listen to, love & respect your children exactly as they are. Love and light good people. pic.twitter.com/G2lLVdD2VT
— Gabrielle Union (@itsgabrielleu) February 11, 2020
