Zaya Wade, daughter of actress Gabrielle Union and retired basketball star Dwyane Wade, came out as transgender and confirmed she uses “she/her” pronouns earlier this month — eliciting a wave of support from her parents, celebrities, and fans alike.
“We are proud parents of a child in the LGBTQ+ community — and we’re proud allies as well,” Wade said during an interview on the “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.”
But not everyone was supportive of the 12-year-old’s decision to publicly identify as she/her.
Soon after Zaya made her announcement, rappers Young Thug and Boosie Badazz took to social media to express their disapproval — making transphobic remarks and referring to Zaya as Wade’s “son.”
“All I wanna say to dwade son is ‘GOD DONT MAKE MISTAKES’ but hey live your true self,” Young Thug tweeted.
In an effort to defend Zaya, Cardi B took to Instagram Live on Friday to call on everyone to be more understanding and accepting.
“I understand that they just don’t be understanding certain s—, please try to understand. Because sometimes you will be wanting people to understand you,” the Grammy Award-winning rapper said. “So try to understand somebody else. Especially when it is a child.”
Cardi B finished her Live by addressing Zaya directly — praising her for being out despite the criticism.
“Speak your truth,” she said. “Speak your truth, and educate.”
