Former Miami Heat star Dwyane Wade has revealed that his family has moved out of Florida due to the state’s ongoing attacks on LGBTQ+ people, with trans people being targeted in particular. The state is currently pushing through several laws that would restrict the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals, including bans on gender-affirming healthcare for trans youth and the expansion of the Don’t Say Gay law, which prohibits discussions of gender identity and sexual orientation in schools.
During an interview with Headliners, Wade stated that his family is “not accepted” in Florida, and he had to make decisions that were in the best interest of his family. He cited the recent anti-LGBTQ+ legislation as one of the reasons why he does not live in Florida, despite the favorable tax situation and the honor of having “Wade County” named after him. He added that his family would not feel comfortable living in Florida due to the lack of acceptance and hostility towards LGBTQ+ individuals.
Wade made headlines in 2020 when he revealed during an interview with Ellen DeGeneres that his daughter, Zaya Wade, is trans. Since then, he and his wife, Gabrielle Union, have been vocal in their support for their daughter and the trans community. In February, while accepting the President’s Award at the 54th annual NAACP ceremony, Wade praised Zaya for how she has handled “ignorance” in the world and commended her for walking out of their house every morning as herself.
Florida’s governor, Ron DeSantis, has been actively curbing LGBTQ+ rights, with his campaign director Christina Pushaw recently celebrating the fact that LGBTQ+ families are being forced to flee the state. As a result, families across Florida are questioning whether they can remain in the state, and some are fleeing for their safety.
In conclusion, the ongoing anti-LGBTQ+ legislation in Florida is causing families to flee the state, including former Miami Heat star Dwyane Wade and his family. The lack of acceptance and hostility towards LGBTQ+ individuals is one of the reasons why Wade does not live in Florida. Despite the favorable tax situation and the honor of having “Wade County” named after him, Wade had to make decisions that were in the best interest of his family. The ongoing attacks on trans rights have also caused concern for families across Florida, and some are questioning whether they can remain in the state.
