Dwyane Wade's Interview About Raising A Queer Child Is A Must-Watch Master Class In Parenting
Former professional basketball player Dwyane Wade just opened up about parenting his queer child.
And his powerful message was a slam dunk for the LGBTQ community.
In Wednesday's moving interview on Showtime's All the Smoke podcast, Wade said that his 12-year-old child, Zion Malachi Airamis—who is openly a part of the LGBTQ community and prefers the pronoun she—has "way more strength and courage" than he has.
In November, social media users expressed their objection to Thanksgiving photos that his wife, actress Gabrielle Union, posted on Instagram, which revealed Zion's long finger nails and her sporting a cropped top.
The photo sparked a lot of hate-filled messages, with narrow-minded people being more fixated on Zion's nails and outfit over reasons to be grateful during the holidays.
When asked to comment on the backlash over having a queer child, the former Miami Heat player touched on unconditional love, being transparent and the importance of visibility and allowing kids to be "seen."
"Me and my wife, we talk about making sure our kids understand the power in their voice."
"We want them to be whoever they feel that they can be in this world. That's our goal. Understand you can be whoever and you can be whatever."
You can watch the full All the Smoke interview, here.
Dwyane Wade | Ep 9 | Big 3, Zaire, Retirement | ALL THE SMOKE Full Podcast www.youtube.com
In his conversations, Wade prepared Zion about the reality of growing up and facing negativity, not only as a queer person, but also as someone who is Black.
Much respect to @DwyaneWade for being so accepting of his child ❤️ Life is hard enough so I’m sure his support mean… https://t.co/9H4ioXFijh— b (@b) 1576824986
The 37 year-old is also a father to Kaavia James, 13 months; Xavier Zechariah, 6; Zaire Blessing Dwyane, 17 and is a guardian to nephew Dahveon Morris, 18.
The proud father explained why he chose to respond to the backlash instead of staying silent.
"When I respond to things socially, I'm not responding because you're hurting my feelings. I'm not responding because I care about what you're saying, because as we say in the in the hood it's 'ignant.'"
"Why I'm responding is because I understand my platform. I understand that I'm speaking for a lot of people don't have the same voice that I have.
"As a father, I'm even speaking for my 12-year-old because I haven't allowed them to sit in front of a microphone yet. But I'm speaking for so many others in the LGBTQ+ community. For me it's just my version of supporting."
As a parent my only goal is that my kids feel that i see them , love them and support them. https://t.co/ZrJp9WFdbi— DWade (@DWade) 1575155995
He admitted he had to educate himself on the LGBTQ community after noticing Zion was on a different "vibe" than his older brother, Zaire.
Wade also used the pronoun she in reference to Zion.
"I had to look myself in the mirror when my son at the time was 3 years old and me and my wife started having conversations about us noticing that he wasn't on the boy vibe that Zaire [Dwyane's older son] was on."
"And I had to look myself in the mirror and say, 'What if your son come 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? It ain't about him. He knows who he is. It's about you. Who are you?'"
"I've watched my son from day one become into who she now eventually has come into."
Many people were moved by Wade's powerful and inspired speech and praised both him and Union on Twitter for their unconditional love.
Being Black and LGBTQ, hearing someone as influential as @DwyaneWade speak so casually about loving and accepting h… https://t.co/pDK40aqR1y— Brian McBride (@Brian McBride) 1576854780
This actually made me cry. @DwyaneWade, Zion will never have to wonder if her daddy loves her, and that is a gift t… https://t.co/X67tKiMgxX— ricky, phd (@ricky, phd) 1576855633
I know I didn’t get enough sleep bc I just cried watching @DwyaneWade interview when he was talking about his son Zion. 😅— elociN anideM (@elociN anideM) 1576855211
@SpinnerGrace @OfArthurshire Ex NBA player Dwayne Wade’s child Zion has chosen feminine pronouns and he’s been supe… https://t.co/c9xEBpQpBt— Liz Yates is a fake name 😉 (@Liz Yates is a fake name 😉) 1576831073
Absolutely beautiful. @DwyaneWade is an incredible human and parent. ❤️❤️❤️ #inclusion Dwyane Wade Watched His… https://t.co/LFJrLezwF7— Kelly Q. Anderson (she/her) (@Kelly Q. Anderson (she/her)) 1576849347
I can’t stop applauding @DwyaneWade & @itsgabrielleu for their public, unabashed support and love for Zion. There a… https://t.co/XRvkXGXXZK— Jillian Svensson (@Jillian Svensson) 1576844892
@DwyaneWade What you have offered your child and the whole world is something truly precious: Unconditional love… https://t.co/0w3F6DIzQf— Devon Spier / חיה אריאל / Chaya Arielle / she/they (@Devon Spier / חיה אריאל / Chaya Arielle / she/they) 1576821192
Wade did not stay silent when his child was under attack on social media for the Thanksgiving photos.
He fired back on Twitter:
"I've seen some post-thanksgiving hate on social about my family photo. Stupidity is apart of this world we live in—so I get it."
"But here's the thing—I've been chosen to lead my family not y'all. So we will continue to be us and support each other with pride, love & a smile!"
I’ve seen some post-thanksgiving hate on social about my family photo. Stupidity is apart of this world we live in—… https://t.co/3rSpUszHjW— DWade (@DWade) 1575156526
At one point in the interview, Wade commented on the increase in visibility of queer people and queer issues.
"This is the new normal, everybody needs to get used to it."
"If anybody is different, we're looked at as different; the ones who don't understand it. The ones that don't get it and are stuck in a box, you're different. Not the people that are out there living their lives."
He closed out on the subject with:
"For me it's all about, nothing changes with my love. Nothing changes with my responsibilities. Only thing I have to do now is get smarter and educate myself more, and that's my job."
Wade is also known for his philanthropy.
In 2013, he founded The Wade's World Foundation—which supports community-based organizations that provide education, health and social skills to children in at-risk situations.
He is also an avid supporter of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Wade may be immortalized as a 13-time NBA All-Star in his professional career, but at home, his kids will always see him as their ultimate MVP.
The book Unconditional: A Guide to Loving and Supporting Your LGBTQ Child is available here.
What did we ever do that made us worthy of dogs?
The ultimate companions, dogs can be trained incredibly well. Sometimes, they even pick up our habits.
Twitter user Casey Dickinson shared a video of her dog, Cooper. Cooper seems to have watched too many basketball games with his family, as every time they score a basket, he lets out a cheer.
Conversely, if you miss, he seems less than thrilled.
If y’all want to see something hilarious, my dog Cooper lets out a huge howl when you make a basket, but let’s out… https://t.co/IX8DofwO9C— Casey Dickinson (@Casey Dickinson) 1553997009.0
I'd love to see this pup at a March Madness game.
As Casey's dad throws the toy, Cooper follows it, watching to see where it lands. Landing in the basket earns him, as Casey puts it, a huge howl, whereas missing the shot gets a "disappointed groan".
The video went viral with millions of views.
People have been replying to the video with their thoughts of the very good boy.
@caseydickinsonn @ShantilGMG Air bud is real!!!!!!!— tay (@tay) 1554135183.0
@colleen_ryan @caseydickinsonn @brootalbear large boi loves when hooman does a score— dublincaterlin (@dublincaterlin) 1554140970.0
@TourdeFronz @caseydickinsonn Who says an old dog can’t learn a new trick?— Hannah Fronz (@Hannah Fronz) 1554133104.0
Don't worry about Cooper though. He's not letting the fame go to his head.
My mom sent my siblings and I a picture of how Cooper is taking all of this newfound fame. He’s clearly just exha… https://t.co/3bRKo9RDOa— Casey Dickinson (@Casey Dickinson) 1554071780.0
He is the best dog on Twitter. Just like every dog on Twitter.
This is the best dog in the world https://t.co/jFSt2EBHD7— myLes 🃏 (@myLes 🃏) 1554165024.0
I for real gotta start training my dog to do things like this!!! https://t.co/7nvlSsGadh— Self love Sept. ✨🕊 (@Self love Sept. ✨🕊) 1554174570.0
I’d be busy all day https://t.co/Z4r5lKBb5e— ThuggD12 (@ThuggD12) 1554087356.0
What a good, supportive boy https://t.co/bYXgVIWWWk— belle (@belle) 1554083049.0
Not sure if you noticed, but people sure seem to like sharing photos and videos of their dogs online.
Sometimes we like to challenge them to shove their snoot in a hole, leading to some unexpected results. Other times, a dog can fart, earning a slap from his feline partner.
Whatever the case, we still love these dogs.
My dog is already 2 years old but still too scared to go down the escalator https://t.co/qNASWkUXA2— Mayapolarbear (@Mayapolarbear) 1554125174.0
They taught their dog how to bounce on a bed https://t.co/cNEZGkNaWM— Addicted to Viral (@Addicted to Viral) 1554163274.0
Does your dog like to dance? https://t.co/eoa5v4nm2a— Nature's Lovers (@Nature's Lovers) 1554145883.0
Though maybe we should be a little nicer to them. They don't have to experience April Fool's.
This #AprilFools Joke Thou #Dog 🤣🤣🤣😂😂💀💀 https://t.co/eF6ua7UwxP— Dtownking15 (PS4) (@Dtownking15 (PS4)) 1554125489.0
This Referee's Reaction After A Kid Hits A No Look Shot From 30 Feet Away Is Priceless
Anybody who plays a sport knows all sports are about 95% dumb luck.
One kid got the dumbest of dumb luck when he hurled a shot behind him close to the buzzer of a youth basketball game in West Virginia.
Check out how he literally just flings it without even looking and it hits DEAD center of the hoop.
Nothing.
But.
Net.
#SCTop10 What do you do when shots like this are falling for the other team? @nay_rdavis @Bballmo86348786 https://t.co/rlQCvNsAUJ— Matthew A Scheidler (@Matthew A Scheidler) 1550341058.0
And now watch it again for the ref's reaction.
Yeah... that face.
We know that face.
Nothing.
But.
Over.
It.
That is the face of a ref who is so done, that people are writing country music about it.
@BullsAttitude22 @nay_rdavis @Bballmo86348786 Ref had $100 on the yellow team.— Rowdy Roddy Pooper (@Rowdy Roddy Pooper) 1550778837.0
Photo via @joerusso/Instagram
Photo via @jameilwoods, @darrielworld, @2seen2/Instagram
Photo via @jtimmyhannan/Instagram
Photo via @riccosuave93/Instagram
Photo via @dsakony2019/Instagram
Photo via @hooperxsincex92/Instagram
Photo via @friendswitdadealer/Instagram
Photo via @dj_memephis/@__b.lo__/Instagram
We wonder how the refs of these other crazy trick shots feel.
Overtime... yay...
Feinting the keeper then hitting a no-look shot, this is one of my favorite goals in the last couple years. https://t.co/2FNPeBrKfU— Yu (@Yu) 1549654717.0
The Greek Freak Shot Clock Buzzer Beater 🚨💦 #FearTheDeer https://t.co/ADZdOaxiwT— Milwaukee Bucks (@Milwaukee Bucks) 1550977170.0
What’s better — Draymond destroying CP3 or Iggy’s circus shot at the buzzer? https://t.co/HC0T1F8Qxg— 95.7 The Game (@95.7 The Game) 1550976475.0
Concord's Drew McDougle (@mcdrewgle) has ICE IN HIS VEINS!!! His shot at the buzzer gives the @cminutemen the 49-4… https://t.co/jTJsEcRQx9— Mark Skol, Jr. (@Mark Skol, Jr.) 1550899205.0
BUZZER BEATER!!! Watch Scanlan hit a fade-away jump shot to close out the third quarter! #AllHeart | #AllHustle |… https://t.co/qpMYRIPaCF— Bryant WBB (@Bryant WBB) 1550949705.0
Manila High School senior Garrett Potter hits a circus shot at the buzzer to win the Region Championship! This is… https://t.co/BjpQwwTU5M— High School Slam (@High School Slam) 1550767808.0
Astounding Buzzer-Beating Basketball Shot @dailymotion - https://t.co/nPNA3oZ6Q1— Mellow (@Mellow) 1550928181.0
Full-court pass ➡️ buzzer-beater corner bank shot for the win! Unbelievable. #SCtop10 https://t.co/g65NPQp98k— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) 1550369425.0
WHAT A SHOT! Slocomb wins it on a buzzer beater to defeat Pike Road 52-50 https://t.co/nlnIQqxVDK— AHSAA (@AHSAA) 1550375123.0
It's crazy, right?
One second can literally change the entire game.
And even in the professional leagues, it's often all 100% dumb luck.
What an ending. Bieniemy blocks what would've been the tying shot at the buzzer. Final: OU 69, Texas 67— Joe Mussatto (@Joe Mussatto) 1550948162.0
BOYS #BASKETBALL: Phil-Mont Christian’s Lyle Tipton banks in a halfcourt shot at the 1Q buzzer after the Falcons st… https://t.co/TG0GfB5IC3— Mike Cabrey (@Mike Cabrey) 1550810266.0
Incredible shot! 🏀 Andrew Reagan, a student athlete with special needs, nails a half-court buzzer beater, then cele… https://t.co/IG5chIBxdp— Exceptional Parent (@Exceptional Parent) 1550804537.0
https://t.co/MQgdLKTi13 @JakeLebahn 60 foot buzzer-beating shot.— Grouchy Goat (@Grouchy Goat) 1550945247.0
We didn’t Win, but it was coo to see my daughter hit this shot at the buzzer!!!🏀#TeamMayaNorthcutt #LetItFly!!! https://t.co/glDZjMkocp— Charles Northcutt Jr (@Charles Northcutt Jr) 1549757749.0
WHAT. A. SHOT. This @WKUBasketball buzzer beater earned our @redrobinburgers Master Moment of the Week. #Yummm 🍔 https://t.co/OIphSYhS9l— Stadium (@Stadium) 1549760071.0
Basketball fans, how do you do it?
Is it for love of the game?
Or some sort of crazy masochism?
We think we'll stay over here where it's safe.
But wherever you are, just remember: there is a ref that is SO over your half-court-no-look-buzzer-shots.
Yeah.
Not impressed at all.
Divorced People Share The Thing They Wished They'd Asked Their Spouse Before Marriage
Marriage is a complicated situation, it's been shrouded in fantasy and fairytales since the beginning of time. We've been indoctrinated to believe that it is essential for living a happy life. We're all -straight, gay and all in between- suppose to find that missing half of us to be complete. Marriage, kids, house = HAPPINESS. What a load.
Redditor u/m1ke156 wanted divorcees to discuss hindsight by asking.... Divorced members of Reddit, what is one thing you wish you asked your spouse prior to marriage?
My first job was at Ross. I was in high school, I was young and naive - far too young and naive for the horrors that awaited me the first day I was asked to help clean out the fitting rooms. Our store didn't have restrooms open to the public, though we would let customers use them if they asked - particularly women with children. Unfortunately, several customers decided there was no point in asking, they would just help themselves to use the fitting rooms as bathrooms. Diapers, menstrual products, and urine puddles were pretty common. Nothing could prepare us for the "Black Friday Incident of 1998"
The store was jam packed - obviously. It was Black Friday and it was Ross. We were swamped, there were three fights and one woman went into labor. But that wasn't even the bad part. The bad part came when the lone attendant at the fitting rooms grabbed the phone, hit the loud speaker button and let out a wail for help... and a few expletives.
"Oh HELL F^CK NAW. IF Y'ALL DON'T GET ME A MANAGER AND SOME GLOVES RIGHT NOW I AM LEAVING!"
One of the three managers on duty ran to her aid expecting maybe an influx of people that was too much to handle ... but no. Someone had used the men's fitting room to release their Black Friday anguish through their bowels. It was on the mirrors, the carpet, the fitting room walls, splashed into the next fitting room stall ... and they had used a few onesies from the baby department to wipe. Then they'd just left, leaving the employees - mostly high school kids and older ladies - to clean it all up. It was atrocious. The fitting rooms had to be closed, which made customers irate.
One Reddit user asked:
Retail workers of Reddit, what's your Black Friday horror story?
And yeah... there's mine. Here are a few more for your "enjoyment" - some responses have been edited for clarity or content.
H/T: Reddit