Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union were the “proud parents of a transgender child” as they thanked 13-year-old Zaya Wade for expanding their view of the world at the GLAAD Media Awards on Thursday night.
The pair appeared via remote camera during the 31st annual awards ceremony to present the prize for Outstanding Drama Series to the cast of Pose.
The couple honored Zaya, who came out as a male-to-female trans, with father Dwyane stating: “We stand as allies with the LGBTQ+ community, as proud parents of a transgender child. Our daughter Zaya is leading us on our journey, and we’re doing all we can to give every one of our kids the ability to live their truth.
“I didn’t always understand how to do that, but I want to thank Zaya for teaching me, and GLAAD for elevating the images and messages that accelerate acceptance in every family.”
Gabrielle added: “That mission means even more to us now as we raise all of our black children. Black lives matter, and Black trans lives matter.
“We are calling on all of our racial justice warriors out there to open your hearts and your mind to the LGBTQ+ community, so that we can work together and empower each other and save lives.”
Pose, a drama series about New York’s ballroom culture in the 1980s and 1990s, was among the big winners at the evening’s virtual ceremony, where other victors included Schitt’s Creek, which took home the Outstanding Comedy Series trophy, and Booksmart, which was crowned Outstanding Film.
Rapper Lil Nas X was named Outstanding Music Artist, while Country singer Dolly Parton made a special remote appearance to collect her trophy for Outstanding Individual Episode for the “Two Doors Down” installment of her Netflix show, Dolly Parton‘s “Heartstrings.”
