Dwyane Wade has revealed that he moved his family out of Florida over the state's recent LGBTQIA+ policies.
The former pro NBA player - who was on the Miami Heat team for the majority of his almost 20-year sports career - admitted that being a father to a transgender daughter influenced his decision to leave the state.
Wade, 41 - who is in the Basketball Hall of Fame - recently sat down with Rachel Nichols for her show 'Headliners' where he spoke about his decision to leave Florida with his family.
When asked what message he'd send to state legislators, Wade responded with: "That's another reason why I don't live in [Florida]. A lot of people don't know that. I have to make decisions for my family, not just personal, individual decisions."
News that Wade has moved out of Florida comes amid the state's governor, Ron DeSantis' recent controversial legislation - which has included the so-called Don't Say Gay bill. The law says public school teachers may not instruct on sexual orientation or gender identity in grades kindergarten through to third grade.
Given this - among multiple other laws - Wade told Nichols that his family wouldn't be comfortable in Florida. "You know, obviously, the taxes is great. Having Wade County is great. But my family would not be accepted or feel comfortable there. And, so that's one of the reasons why I don't live there," he said, via TMZ.
Wade's 15-year-old daughter Zaya came out as transgender in 2020, something that he and his wife Gabrielle Union have fully supported. Zaya has legally changed her name and gender since embracing her identity.
Last month, Union told DAZED Magazine about how much she supports her stepdaughter. "I think it's not my job, but it's my honor to continue and further my family's education and appreciation for the entire LBGTQ+ community as we grow together. As our understanding of acceptance has broadened over the past couple of years, we have made the strides to keep ourselves educated and combat the ignorance."
Wade has criticized his ex-wife Siohvaughn - Zaya's mom - for not being "supportive" of their daughter's transition. "While it certainly would have been preferable for Zaya's mother to be supportive of this important part of Zaya's journey, Zaya should not be forced to put her life on hold while she waits for Siohvaughn to acknowledge and accept her truth," he said, via Page Six.
He also added that the legal changes to Zaya's identity would act in her "best interest … from simple introductions and food orders, to applying for a driver's license and filling out college applications."
