The actress conveyed a touching message on her stepdaughter Zaya Wade’s 18th birthday. It was a beautiful message dedicated to this beautiful child going to college soon and having a bountiful future- posted on Instagram.
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“Happy 18th birthday to you @zayawade!!! You are so loved and cherished and you make us so proud every day,” writes Union-Wade. “Let 18 be filled with blessings, adventures, and glorious peace. Love you!!!”
The video revealed scant glimpses of stepmotherly enthusiasm as Union-Wade described the specifics of the college plans. “She’s going to be off to college next year. She’s a potential astrobiology major,” gloated Union-Wade. “It’s amazing, but it’s because we love her so much and we protect her freedom and her humanity and her rights that she’s allowed to blossom.”
Soon after, the comment section was drenched with wishes coming in greetings from admirers and several other celebrities. Sheree Whitfield commented, “Happy 18th Birthday Zaya,” and celebrities and fans alike called Zaya the ‘favorite trend-setting teen.’ Time flew by in no time,” another user bemoaned, “I remember when… they grow up way too fast!”
But the freshly brushed silver lining was streaked through with biting transphobic commentary. One user went on pressure, “He is not a she.” Another cried out, “Poor guy. His family is abusing him,” highlighting sadly so much ignorance among some regarding transgender identity.
An instance of little kindness did not fly away into silence. Another user fired back: “Why are black people so vile toward a child that is not theirs but be quick to shout free him for some drug dealer or killer.” This spiraled into a heated discussion of selective outrage in communities.
Meanwhile, the bulk of comments praised this turning point in Zaya’s life and lauded Union-Wade for her parenting skills. “Amazing parents!!!! Keep going,” one fan cheered, while another called it refreshing to see the love within this family.
Zaya had just come out in 2020 as transgender, and over the past few years, she has blossomed into a style icon and advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. The journey of Zaya snatched the huge spotlight, with the uninterrupted support of Union-Wade and Dwyane Wade advocating for the rights of his daughter. Wade testified before Congress in 2021 for transgender rights using the family’s experience as a platform for advocating for more protection.
The timely coming of this post suggests that Zaya would soon be taking on her next big venture: college. With astrobiology-detecting life in the universe-on her mind, literally anything seems to be within her grasp. Judging by the comments, the whole community is holding this young lady’s hand at each step from here on out-not to mention the lesser-minority negative voices here and there.
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The sentiment inside the mother, Union-Wade, was so well stated in the message she gave. It reflected a parent’s feeling that comes with an almost-adult child-a bitter taste of pride in who the child is, aching nostalgia for who he once was. More than anything else, it was an enunciation of how unconditional love and acceptance feed young souls into becoming their true selves.
