Dwyane Wade and his family did not feel welcome in the state of Florida, so he decided to get them out of there.
The retired Miami Heat legend said he moved out of Florida in part because he didn’t think his family would feel accepted because of the state’s policies toward LGBTQ+ people, according to an interview clip posted by People.
In the clip, Wade talks with Rachel Nichols of “Headliners,” saying that he liked Florida’s low taxes “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.”
Wade’s daughter Zaya is transgender.
The full exchange:
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Nichols: “What do you have to say to some of those state legislators who maybe have your jersey in their closets, who came and brought their kids to your games to cheer for you?”
Wade: “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, individual decisions.
“I mean, obviously, the tax [situation] 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.”
The family is now in California.
As for Florida, the lawmakers are moving forward with multiple bills this session aimed at LGBTQ+ issues, including a bill that would restrict bathroom access for transgender people and another targeting businesses that admit children into “sexual performances,” which critics say is aimed at drag shows.
The state has also passed and expanded its “Don’t Say Gay” law, which forbids schools from requiring teachers or students from using a person’s preferred pronouns if they differ from that person’s sex at birth.
Wade, who is married to actress Gabrielle Union, retired in 2019.
Wade’s daughter came out as trans in 2020 and has spoken publicly about the backlash she has received. She has got nothing but full support from her dad and stepmom. Zaya’s biological mother is not in agreement with anything that is going on. She tried to legally block her formal transition.
