Dwyane Wade, the former NBA superstar and husband of Gabrielle Union, continues to be one of our favorite celebrity dads. His daughter, Zaya Wade, who came out as trans in 2020, is about to turn 17. Together, they are embarking on an inspiring new project: a non-profit called Translatable, aimed at helping LGBTQ+ youth of color and their families.
Related | See: Daniel Radcliffe Hosts Trans Youth Panel With The Trevor Project
What is Translatable?
Translatable is a non-profit organization supported by the Human Rights Campaign and the Trevor Project. It aims to support and educate LGBTQ+ youth of color, as well as their families and support systems. Zaya’s vision for the organization stemmed from a simple question: “If you have one thing that you want to see change in this community, what would it be?”
Focusing on Parents and Families
Dwyane shared Zaya’s thoughts on the project, stating, “For her, it goes right to parents. It goes right to the adults. It goes right to us. It’s not the kids. It’s us. And so she wanted to create a space that felt safe for parents and their kids. That’s what Translatable is, and it’s her baby.”
Creating a Safe Space
In a promotional video, Zaya explained, “Translatable aims to serve as a community safe space for youth to express themselves through a number of creative outlets. Here at Translatable, we focus on communities of color, center the most marginalized, and emphasize the importance of parents and family.”
A Resource Hub for Families
Dwyane highlighted the importance of resources and support for families. “For our family, we were blessed to have a community of supporters and knowledgeable experts who could swiftly arm us with the tools we needed to help Zaya in her journey. We recognize the lack of digestible and relatable information for youth and families, especially in communities of color. And to this day, we are still learning.”
Pride in Zaya
Dwyane’s pride in Zaya is evident. “I’m so very proud of the daughter that I’ve had the opportunity to raise. She has been my biggest educator and inspiration for what it means to be true to you. That’s why it’s so important to create a collaborative space for the community to participate in the conversation and express themselves freely.”
What’s Next for Translatable?
Zaya announced that Translatable will roll out content, resource guides, and interactive features over the next few months. “Make sure to sign up for email updates. We’re just getting started,” she added.
Dwyane and Zaya Wade are making a significant impact with Translatable, offering a beacon of hope and support for LGBTQ+ youth of color and their families. Their dedication to creating a safe and informative space is truly inspiring.
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