Actress Gabrielle Union is known for her stance on trans issues involving children. She and her husband, former professional basketball player Dwyane Wade, have a teenager who identifies as trans. This has inspired Union to become an outspoken advocate for LGBT issues, especially as they relate to kids.
The “Cheaper By the Dozen” actress recently expressed her thoughts during an interview with Buzzfeed.
“It’s important for us to live and love out loud. We didn’t exactly understand why [supporting Zaya’s trans identity] was a thing because it’s like, we love all our kids out loud,” Union said. Their 14-year-old child Zaya came out as trans in 2019.
“But it is a thing and a lot of people do need an example,” she continued. “[People] do need that [kind of] representation.”
“As our children show up, it is our job to believe them when they tell us who they are and not impose our dreams, hopes, fears, and desires on them.”
Next, Union insisted parents should “respect” whatever identities children choose for themselves, including gender identities.
“It’s our job to be loving, compassionate, protective guides for our children, but their lives are their lives and we have to respect that,” Union explained. “We do not believe in any kind of shaming for existing. That is bizarre, cruel, [and] harmful.”
“So yeah, we’re gonna post our family, we’re going to live out loud, we’re going to love out loud, and we’re going to speak out loud and lead in however each situation calls for us to be leaders when things are not where they should be,” she said.
The “Bring It On” actress also had a message for trans kids.
“There are people just like you that want you to win in life. And by win, I mean to survive and thrive. And we will find a way,” she said when asked what her “message for trans kids living in Texas” would be.
“We will not stop working for all of our freedom, our salvation, and our liberation — whether that’s in Texas, Florida, Idaho, or all the other states that are basically trying to outlaw your existence, demonize and criminalize your parents for loving you. This will not stand. As long as I have air in my lungs, we will be fighting for you and I will not be alone and you are not alone.”
In 2020, Union said trans kids feel “disposable” if their parents don’t agree to gender transitions.
“I mean, to us, it’s a little odd to get any kind of recognition for doing what, you know, you are supposed to do, which is love and accept and embrace your kids. So it’s odd to get recognition for that,” the actress told Ellen DeGeneres during an appearance on her show.
“But unfortunately there are so many people who just don’t. They just don’t. And so many people who really truly feel like their kids are disposable. If they’re not perfect images of them, they aren’t interested. And it’s heartbreaking. So for us, we are just doing what’s natural to us and loving her. There she is! There is our girl. Yeah, we just want happy, healthy, you know, compassionate kids.”