Dwayne Wade and Gabrielle Union, both outspoken allies of the LGBTQ+ community, were met with vile transphobic jeers on Sunday as they left Madison Square Garden after watching Wade’s former team, the Miami Heat, play against the New York Knicks. As they exited the arena, they were booed by sports fans gathered outside, and a video posted on YouTube captured a hateful person in a red hoodie shouting, “Why did you mutilate your son?”
This disgusting comment was presumably a reference to Wade and Union’s unwavering support of their 15-year-old daughter, Zaya, who came out as trans in 2019. The couple has been vocal about their support of Zaya, sharing the hateful attacks and comments they’ve tried to shield her from on social media.
While the couple has not publicly disclosed any gender-affirming care their daughter has received, anti-trans organizations and Republican politicians have been falsely characterizing such care as “experimental” and harmful, while framing any affirmation of trans identity, including social transition, by parents as abusive.
On Monday night at the annual Met Gala, Wade took the opportunity to fire back at anti-trans lawmakers, citing the high suicide rates in the trans community and the importance of acceptance. He also shared a moment with WNBA star Brittney Griner, and showed his daughter, who was not in attendance, what the event looks like.
The incident at Madison Square Garden serves as a reminder of the continued transphobia and hate that exists in our society, and the importance of standing with the LGBTQ+ community in the fight for equality and acceptance.
