As LGBTQ+ people become more and more accepted in society, and the general public becomes better educated, more people will come to accept their true gender identity. With more exposure and representation in the media, and queer role models for young people to look up to, coming out of the closet can happen much earlier and be much less of a source of anxiety. This progressiveness is now crossing generational boundaries, as youths and adolescents can be much more open about their own romantic inclinations or gender identity.

If you want an example of good parenting, and how to raise your kids in a non-prejudiced way, then look no further than how basketball player Dwyane Wade and actress Gabrielle Union have handled it this week. At the weekend, Gabrielle took Wade's young son, 11-year-old Zion Wade, to Miami's LGBTQ+ Pride Week in a heartwarming show of support.

And judging from the videos she shared, they had a great time:

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Dwyane took to Instagram to share his family's day out with his social media followers. He posted a picture of Gabrielle and Zion together and captioned it: "We support each other with pride."

Zion's older brother Zaire later uploaded a picture of his own, captioning it: "Love you lil bro no matter what."

Many social media users were impressed that Gabrielle made such an effort to take her son to pride and immerse him in the positivity of gay culture. Sadly, Dwyane was unable to attend in person since he was in Toronto at the time.

In a recent interview with Oprah, Gabrielle discussed her feelings about motherhood and caring for Wade's sons from his first marriage to Siohvaughn Funches, as well as how she'd had a baby girl with Wade through IVF and the use of a surrogate. Gabrielle stated: "I saw motherhood and parenthood with very realistic eyes. It looked hard."

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She added: "I wanted a life of flitting around the country and lack of responsibility and all that. Parenthood is about sacrifice, being consistent, and being present. Then [Wade] got full custody. I signed up for the boys quicker than I signed up for him ... There's many paths to parenthood and motherhood. It doesn't have to match your friend's, your sister's, or your mama's. Every path is beautiful, real, valid, and worthwhile. You don't have to suffer in silence or alone. There's hope and answers. We got you."

In an appearance on the most recent episode of The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Dwayne Wade opened about his 12-year-old daughter Zaya coming out as transgender.

“First of all, me and my wife, Gabrielle Union, we are proud parents of a child in the LGBTQ+ community, and we’re proud allies as well,” the former NBA star told Ellen. “We take our roles and our responsibilities as parents very seriously.”

Check out the touching interview below:

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He continued, “When our child comes home with a question, when our child comes home with an issue, when our child comes home with anything, it’s our job as parents to listen to that, to give them the best information that we can, the best feedback that we can. And that doesn’t change because sexuality is now involved in it.”

Explaining his daughter's story, Wade said Zaya was “born as a boy” and was “originally named Zion.” But when she was ready, Zaya came out to her father and stepmother, Union.

"[She] 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 would love for you guys to call me Zaya,’” the former Miami Heat player recalled. “Now it’s our job to one, go out and get information, to reach out to every relationship that we have."

Wade then repeated the words of support and encouragement he shared with his daughter.

"I said, ‘You are a leader. You are a leader, and this is an opportunity to allow you to be a voice'. Right now it’s through us because she’s 12-years-old, but eventually it will be through her."

Wade shares daughters Zaire, 18, and Zaya with his ex-wife, Siohvaughn Funches, six-year-old son Xavier with Aja Metoyer and a 15-month-old daughter Kaavia with Union.

Dwyane Wade has opened up about his journey of self-reflection and personal growth in his approach to parenting and understanding masculinity. This came about after his daughter, Zaya, opened up to him about her identity as a transgender person.

Speaking at the Creative Artists Agency Amplify event in Ojai, California, the former NBA superstar had a heartfelt conversation with fellow NBA star Chris Paul and manager Lisa Metelus, per NBC News.

When asked about the moment Zaya came out to him as transgender, Wade confessed that he had been preparing himself for a similar conversation ever since Zaya referred to herself as "gay" in a school assignment at the age of eight.

Wade, who is married to actress Gabrielle Union, vividly recalls the moment. He said, "So I came home and I just remember my child being scared to talk to me, like hiding in my wife’s arm in a chair." Despite considering himself a 'cool dad', he noticed fear in Zaya's eyes.

This prompted Wade to introspect. "I had to go look myself in the mirror and ask myself: ‘Why was my child scared? Scared to tell me something about herself?’" He admitted that he realized the need to listen more attentively, not only to Zaya but also to experts on the matter.

Reflecting on his previous parenting style, Wade shared, "In a lot of work as parents — and as people — what we do is we put our fears and everything on our kids. And I guess I was doing that."

He added, "So I had to go look myself in the mirror and ask myself... What is it about my masculinity that has my child afraid?"

Despite typically maintaining a private stance about his family on social media, Wade faced public scrutiny after posting a Thanksgiving photo which included Zaya, sporting a crop top and acrylic nails. The reaction was, as Wade recounts, swift and intense.

"The world went crazy," Wade said, revealing how he immediately adopted a protective stance for his child, despite still having "so much" to learn himself. One of the toughest obstacles for the family was handling the public’s "miseducation."

Wade humorously mentioned that he was labeled as gay for supporting his daughter's identity. He went on to joke about the pink nail polish he was wearing.

He ended on a note of wisdom, saying, "I think the hardest part about it is shutting out the world and shutting out the people that really are not in (our) circle. But they have opinions and we are a public-facing family."

Featured image credit: Ray Tamarra / Getty

Dwyane Wade has opened up about the emotional moment his daughter Zaya told him she was transgender at the age of 12.

The former NBA star, 39, describes Zaya as "one of the greatest teachers of my life."

During an Instagram Live interview with Today, the retired basketball star talked about his upbringing, his NBA career, and his efforts to be the best possible parent to his kids.

Ahead of his new photographic memoir Dwyane, which was released this week, the former athlete opened up about the pivotal moment he had as a parent when Zaya broke the news to him.

Wade said he approached the news the same way he would if he needed to fix something in his basketball game.

Asking for help, he recalled: "If I don't know something in this life, especially if it comes from my children, then it's my job to go and learn these things," he said.

In addition to Zaya, who is now 14, Wade is a father to two sons, Zaire, 19, and Xavier, 8, and daughter, Kaavia, 3. He also helped raise his nephew, Dahveon Morris, 20.

Wade said he and wife Gabrielle Union - who is Zaya's stepmother - have helped the teenager celebrate being her authentic self and have been powerful allies to the LGBTQ community, especially since they know they are speaking for her.

What's more, he says that he tells Zaya to "educate me and let me know". He added: "She said, 'I thank you and if there's anything that comes up, I'll definitely let you know.'"

"Zaya is more than that," Wade said. "Zaya is a 14-year-old amazing girl, who since she stepped into her classroom on day one has never gotten lower than A."

He described his daughter as "a young kid who is trying to fit in with other kids at school, trying to get to the point where she is trying to date."

"She's my daughter. She's beautiful and she has so many other great qualities that she is tapping into that everyone is starting to see," he added.

Featured image credit: WENN Rights Ltd / Alamy

Yesterday, Dwyane Wade took to Instagram to share an NSFW post of him and his wife Gabrielle Union, in celebration of his 39th birthday.

In the snap, the former NBA star stands stark naked behind Gabrielle, who has a massive smile on her face.

He captioned the snap: "Birthday behavior‼️ 39 is already looking up."

When Dwyane's kids saw the revealing pic, they reacted as any normal kid would.

Zaire Wade, 18, took to the comments to share: "This isn't what I wanted to wake up to."

Zaya Wade, 13, also wasn't exactly jumping for joy, writing: "Ayooooo chill, I just got on."

Dwyane and Gabrielle share a 2-year-old daughter named Kaavia Union-Wade. Dwyane's three older children from previous relationships, Zaire, Zaya, and Xavier, live with the pair and their toddler.

Last year, 12-year-old Zaya Wade made her red carpet debut after her father and stepmother Gabrielle Union revealed that she identifies as transgender.

Zaya made her debut at the sixth annual Truth Awards in Los Angeles accompanied by Dwyane and Gabrielle, and her proud father took to Instagram to mark the occasion with a heartwarming message.

Dwyane wrote on Instagram:

"Everyone allow her to re-introduce herself, her name is Zaya Wade!

"Last night was Zaya's first red carpet and we couldn't have been prouder of how she handled the questions that were asked of her. She has emerged as one of the young faces and voices for the LGBTQ+ community."

The former Miami Heat shooting guard posted another family snap to his Instagram account, captioning it:

"Zaya how does that custom @richfresh feel??? Last night was a dope experience for our family. Thank you to @betterbrothersla and the #truthawards for recognizing our good friends @jasonbolden @adair_curtis with the Bussiness Leadership Award.

The Truth Awards was created to recognize and highlight the accomplishments of the Black LGBTQ+ community and its allies.

In doing so, they increase the awareness of there contributions to Society, Popular Culture and the Arts, and help refocus the lens through which they are seen.

The Truth Awards also provides funding for scholarships that supports educational opportunities for youth in the LGBTQ+ community!??"