Culture

Dwyane Wade opens up about moving away from Florida: “My family would not be accepted”

By Jordan Robledo

30th April 2023

Instagram: @dwyanewade
Instagram: @dwyanewade

NBA star Dwyane Wade revealed that he moved from Florida due to the state’s anti-LGBTQ+ legislation. 

Over the last few years, the state’s conservative governor Ron DeSantis and his allies have targeted the LGBTQ+ community with hateful legislation.

From the disturbing ‘Don’t Say Gay’ law to the various bills attacking the rights of trans youth, the state’s conservative lawmakers are showing no signs of slowing down their anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric.

During his recent appearance on Showtime’s Headliners with Rachel Nichols, Wade revealed that the aforementioned legislation was a factor in why he moved his family away from “The Sunshine State.”

“That’s another reason why I don’t live in that state. A lot of people don’t know that. I have to make decisions for my family, not just personal and individual decisions,” he explained. 

Back in 2021, the former Miami Heat player and his wife, Gabrielle Union, sold their Miami beach-front home for $22 million, per The Los Angeles Times.

“Obviously, the taxes is great. Having Wade County is great. But my family would not be accepted or feel comfortable there. And so that’s one of the reasons why I don’t live there,” he added.

Wade’s recent interview isn’t the first time he showcased his support of his trans daughter Zaya Wade and the LGBTQ+ community as a whole. 

Back in February, the NBA legend and his Union called for a “new era of activism” for the Black trans community at the 2023 NAACP Image Awards. 

While accepting the organisation’s prestigious President’s Award for their continuous LGBTQ+ activism, Wade paid tribute to Zaya, saying “all I’ve wanted to do” as a “father” was to “get it right”.

“As your father, my job isn’t to create a version of myself or direct your future. My role is to be a facilitator to your hopes, your wishes and your dreams. Zaya, you’ve made me a better human just simply by being who you were born to be — a baby girl, Zaya Wade,” he said.

“So baby, thank you for showing the world what courage looks like. I’m proud that I was chosen to stand in place as your father and thank you so much NAACP for this incredible honor.”