Dwyane Wade said he was 'proud' to support his 12-year-old when she changed her name and pronouns: we want Zaya 'to be her best self'

In an interview with Ellen DeGeneres, Wade said he and his wife, Gabrielle Union, are "proud parents of a child in the LGBTQ+ community" and want to "give our child the best opportunity to be her best self."
Wade said that as parents, "it's our job to listen and give [our kids] the best information, the best feedback that we can, and that doesn't change because sexuality is now involved in it."
Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories .

Retired NBA superstar Dwyane Wade opened up on Tuesday about his unwavering support for his children, regardless of their sexuality and gender identity.

In an appearance on "The Ellen Show," Wade confirmed that his 12-year-old now uses she/her pronouns and changed her name to "Zaya."

"Our 12 year old ... came home and said, 'Hey, I want to talk to you guys,'" Wade said. "'I think going forward I'm ready to live my truth. I want to be referenced as she and her [and] I would love for you to call me Zaya.' Internally, now it's our job to... go out and get information."

"We're just trying to figure out as much information as we can to make sure that we give our child the best opportunity to be her best self," he added.

Dwayne Wade/Zion Wade Getty/Michael Reaves

Wade has been outspoken in his advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community for quite some time. He and his family went to the Miami Beach pride march last spring, and the former Heat shooting guard defended Zaya when internet trolls attacked her for wearing fake nails and a crop top .

The father of four has also admitted to his own past ignorance regarding LGBTQ+ issues but has expressed a commitment to learning more about the community and being more open-minded going forward.

"We are proud parents of a child in the LGBTQ+ community and we're proud allies as well," Wade told DeGeneres. "We take our roles and our responsibility as parents very seriously. When our child comes home with a question, when our child comes home with an issue, when our child comes home with anything, it's our job to listen and give them the best information, the best feedback that we can, and that doesn't change because sexuality is now involved in it."

DeGeneres, who is an out lesbian and has been married to actress Portia de Rossi for 12 years, commended Wade for being "what every parent should be" regarding his support of Zaya's gender identity.

"There are so many parents who just [say] 'Oh, you're not going the way I imagined or wanted you to be' and freak out," DeGeneres said. "You're so loving and supportive of Zaya and what a special child she is."

Check out the full video of Wade's appearance on The Ellen Show below:

NOW WATCH: 5 things about the NFL that football fans may not know