NBA player Dwyane Wade and daughter Zaya launch safe space for Trans youth

During his illustrious NBA career, Dwyane Wade earned numerous accolades. Now, he's set to receive another award, this time for his advocacy efforts beyond the basketball court.

On Thursday, May 23, in Miami, where he played the majority of his NBA career with the Miami Heat, Wade, aged 42, was honored with the Elevate Prize Catalyst Award.

He was awarded for his advocacy efforts benefiting the transgender community, earning recognition as a 13-time All-Star.

In 2020, at the age of 12, Wade's daughter, Zaya, openly shared her identity as transgender, with her father and family providing her unwavering support.

While Wade was the one officially presented with the award, he emphasized that it is a collective achievement.

“This is a Wade family award,” said Wade.

Approaching her 17th birthday on May 29, Zaya, a model, influencer, and high school student, has collaborated with her father on a new project called Translatable over the past two years. This digital platform offers LGBTQ+ youth a secure outlet to share their creativity, including poetry, photography, and personal reflections.

Additionally, the platform will offer educational materials for families seeking guidance on understanding gender identity questions their children may have.

Since the age of 14, Zaya has collaborated with her father on Translatable, a project that began shortly after her public announcement about her gender identity, propelling her into the public eye.

Due to the attention she received, Wade is incredibly proud of Zaya's poise and demeanor.

Since Zaya's disclosure, Wade has emerged as a strong advocate for the LGBTQ+ community and aims to be a role model for other parents, alongside his wife, actress Gabrielle Union, who is Zaya's stepmother.