Dwyane Wade opens up about his son and expresses support for LGBTQ community

Former Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade has been active in a variety of ways since retiring after last season.

A future NBA Hall of Famer, he’s moved to Los Angeles so he could support wife Gabrielle Union in her acting career. He’s also made a stronger effort to watch the budding basketball career of his son, Zaire, who is a senior in high school. On Thursday, Wade also offered backing to his other son, 12-year-old Zion, by showing support for the LGBTQ community.

During an appearance on “All the Smoke,” a Showtime Basketball podcast, he called out the ignorance of those critical of the gay lifestyle.

“You can learn something from your kids,” Wade said on the podcast. "In our household, that’s all we talk about. We talk about making sure our kids be seen by each of us.”

In April, Union drew attention when she was photographed with Zion at a Miami Beach gay pride parade. Wade, who did not attend, offered his support via social media. The Wades received backlash last month after posting a Thanksgiving family photo with Zion wearing painted fingernails.

I’ve seen some post-thanksgiving hate on social about my family photo. Stupidity is apart of this world we live in—so i get it. But here’s the thing—I’ve been chosen to lead my family not y’all. So we will continue to be us and support each other with pride, love & a smile! ✌🏾
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) November 30, 2019

“First of all, you want to talk about strength and courage, my 12-year-old has way more than I have,” Wade said on the podcast. “You can learn something from your kids.”

Wade has vowed to continue defending his son despite the criticism. He is comfortable using his platform to educate.

“I’m speaking for so many others in the LGBTQ community,” Wade said. “All these people that’s out there saying these things, look at yourself. Understand that you’re the one that’s got the issues. You’re the one that’s got the problem,” he continued. “It’s not the kids, it’s not the ones who decide, ‘Yeah, you born a certain way, you gotta be that way.’ That’s not life, man.”