It’s not every day that people would use the Met Gala to advocate for important causes. And while there has been a history of politicians appearing at the event, such as Hillary Clinton, former professional basketball player Dwyane Wade used his time in the spotlight to advocate for the issue of transgender rights in the country.
In an interview with Variety, Wade spoke more about his stance on transgender rights, weeks after it was reported last week that he was leaving Florida due to the numerous anti-LGBT+ and anti-trans laws being passed in the state. The NBA player was asked if he had a message for Florida’s Governor, Ron DeSantis, who’s continuing to “wage war on woke.” In response, he spoke about walking towards the side of acceptance and that this is the way to make children feel safe.
“I don’t know him. But I do know men lie, women lie, but numbers don’t. I do know that when our children feel accepted. That 43 percent of our children that feel accepted from their parents, from the world, it lowers the death rate. Suicide is high in the trans community. It’s high in youth. And so, I’m going to step on the side of acceptance and I’m not going even go to the other side. I’m just going to focus on acceptance.”
Wade also spoke on other ways to make children feel safe in this day and age, especially when rights from various demographics such as women, minorities, and the LGBT+ community are constantly being stripped away. One suggestion he had was stricter gun laws. He also talked about fixing the education system and making the trans community feel safe.
“Let’s make sure our kids have an opportunity to live this life that we all get to live. And it starts with our gun safety laws, obviously. There’s a lot of work to do there. In our schools. But also to in our community, which is the trans community.”
The Daily Mail reported recently that Wade and his wife Gabrielle Union were met with anti-trans protesters after he left Madison Square Garden while supporting his former team. One protester yelled out “‘you mutilated your son” as the couple exited the venue, referring to Wade’s daughter, who came out as trans in 2020.
Wade decided last week to move out of Florida, claiming it’s for the safety of his family and that they wouldn’t feel safe if they stayed in the state. Despite the recognition he’s received thanks to his basketball career, Wade decided that he has to make decisions in the interests of others, not just for himself.
