Former NBA star Dwyane Wade was busy with basketball in April 2019 when his family went to a Miami Beach Pride parade in support of his young son, Zion. But he gave a shout out to his family on social media.
On his Instagram story, he shared photos of his family at the event.
“We support each other with Pride!” Wade wrote on a photo of Zion and his wife, actress Gabrielle Union.
In another image of the whole group of family and friends, Wade wrote: “Zion had his own cheering section today. Wish I was there to see you smile kid!”
Unfortunately, but perhaps not surprisingly, the heart-warming photos sparked homophobic ignorance and hate online. But in a video interview released on Tuesday, Wade told Variety that standing up for his son and supporting him is his job.
“I don’t really talk about it much because it’s Zion’s story to tell. I think as a family, we should support each other. That’s our job. And my job as a father is to facilitate their lives and to support them and be behind them in whatever they want to do. This is my job as a father,” Wade said. “They are all different, and I have to get to know them and where they are. I have to say to most parents, get to know your kids. Don’t put your wants and needs on them.”
Dwyane Wade was surprised that his love for his son resulted in some backlash on social media https://t.co/yk4kuCE3nA pic.twitter.com/KAWEmQjEGZ
— Variety (@Variety) June 18, 2019
“I’m doing what every parent has to do. Once you bring kids into this world, you become unselfish. It’s my job to be their role model, to be their voice in my kids’ lives, to let them know you can conquer the world. So, go and be your amazing self and we’re going to sit back and just love you,” Wade continued.
Wade walks his talk. For Zion’s birthday last month, he shared a post on Instagram highlighting his son.
The Twitter world is all about Wade’s support for his son Zion and the rest of his family.
Dwayne Wade and Gabby Union supporting young Zion at Miami Pride is so beautiful, I could cry. I can’t imagine having had this type of support as a kid (or even young adult). Amazing example of living in and showing unconditional love ? pic.twitter.com/2cT8Ow6kik
— Câmi Thomas (@CamiCruzThomas) April 7, 2019