Dwyane Wade Shares a Powerful Message About Raising a Gay Son

Dwyane Wade shared a powerful message about raising a gay son. The pro baller, who retired from the NBA in 2018, made his declaration of acceptance for his son Zion on the “All the Smoke” podcast hosted by Stephen Jackson and Matt Barnes.

Wade confessed that he began to notice his son developing in a much different way from his brothers when he was barely out of diapers. As a father in the African-American community, there is oftentimes pressure to lead the household in accordance to faith and traditional family values. Unfortunately, that sometimes leads to shame and marginalization in the home. Wade spoke openly on the show that he, too, had grown up ignorant and really leaned on Gabrielle Union for understanding how to be more caring and compassionate.

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According to TMZ, Wade opened up raising his son, saying: “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 [Wade’s other son] was on. And, I had to look myself in the mirror and say, ‘What if your son come home and tell 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?'”

Wade has spent a great deal of 2019 championing his youngest son. Ever since the family attended a Pride Festival in support the teen, the family has attracted praise, as well as the ire of the public. During the Thanksgiving holiday, Wade and his wife Gabrielle Union posed with their kids and posted the photo to social media, expressing thanks for their blessings. In the picture, young Zion sported a crop top and long fingernails. Internet trolls were quick to pounce, chiding the teen and his parents for the look. Wade shut down the detractors, letting everyone know that his only obligation was to his son. With each insult, the Wades band together, posting social media images of support and a call-to-action for equality.

Sure, it’s great to hear Dwyane Wade speak so candidly about his unconditional love for, and acceptance of, his child. After all, there is a certain stigma attached to men who hail from hyper-masculine professions like athletics and the music industry. Those guys have images to uphold, and anything that paints them in a nurturing or tolerant light could alienate them with certain demographics. Therein lies the problem. Nothing that Wade said about his son should raise an eyebrow or even make a headline. Loving one’s children unconditionally is what all parents should do. Sexual orientation is not a parent’s privilege; it’s every person’s right and choice. It’s wonderful that Zion Wade is a young black man growing up in a loving and accepting household, because not every child gets that opportunity. Let’s just hope that if there’s a parent out there grappling with their child’s sexuality and/or gender identity, they ultimately soften their heart and follow Dwyane Wade’s sterling example of fatherhood.

Source: TMZ

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