Deals and Steals on upgrades for the home!

Open menu

  • Video
  • Shop
  • Culture
  • Family
  • Wellness
  • Food
  • Living
  • Style
  • Travel
  • News
  • Book Club
  • GMA3: WYNTK
  • Newsletter
  • Privacy Policy
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • Terms of Use
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Contact Us
  • © 2023 ABC News
  • Culture

Gabrielle Union says stepdaughter Zaya felt 'outed' by people online

VIDEO: Dwyane Wade opens up about his 12-year-old's gender identity
3:07
Dwyane Wade opens up about his 12-year-old's gender identity
ABCNews.com
ByCandice Williams
December 14, 2020, 11:05 pm

Actress Gabrielle Union opened up about her 2020 experiences in the premiere episode of Taraji P. Henson's new Facebook Watch show, "Peace of Mind with Taraji."

During the wide-ranging interview, which focused on the challenges of mental health, specifically in the Black community, Union shared how 2020 has been a triggering year for her because of politics and "a daily barrage of the brutalization of Black and brown bodies."

Union told Henson and Henson's friend Tracie Jade that those triggers took on a physical form that she says felt like "a full body heart attack."

"Usually, my right arm starts to feel like it is going numb ... the way you would imagine a heart attack, but in your knees, in your legs, in your arms, in your chest, in your eyeballs," she said. "Trauma can take so many forms."

Editor’s Picks

Dwyane Wade's daughter Zaya Wade makes red carpet debut

  • Mar 09, 2020

Dwyane Wade on how his family learned about gender identity from daughter

  • Feb 18, 2020

Dwyane Wade opens up about his 12-year-old's gender identity

  • Feb 11, 2020

During the candid conversation, Union, 48, also opened up about her 13-year-old stepdaughter Zaya's experience coming out as transgender earlier this year.

"Zaya's peace is non-negotiable," Union said. "As Zaya gathered more language, she was able to tell us about her identity. She was able to tell us about her sexuality. She was able to tell us, 'I'm trans.' She says, 'I've come out a few times. I came out to my teacher in third grade."

MORE: Dwyane Wade and daughter Zaya sport matching hairdos

Zaya, whose father is Union's husband, retired NBA star Dwyane Wade, also told Union she felt "outed" when the couple posted a photo of her at her birthday party in Chicago.

"And that picture was dissected on certain Black blogs, and the comments were the guessing as to who Zaya was and why," Union said.

The actress says she and Wade are still learning from Zaya.

"We only know what we know," Union said. "You have to be open to embrace what we don't know."

Editor’s Picks

Dwyane Wade's daughter Zaya Wade makes red carpet debut

  • Mar 09, 2020

Dwyane Wade on how his family learned about gender identity from daughter

  • Feb 18, 2020

Dwyane Wade opens up about his 12-year-old's gender identity

  • Feb 11, 2020
Up Next in Culture—

Toby Keith gives update on stomach cancer battle: 'It's a little bit of a roller coaster'

September 29, 2023

Rob Gronkowski, Camille Kostek compete in live ice bath challenge to raise $20K for charity

September 29, 2023

Hear Wynonna Judd and Trisha Yearwood's reimagined version of 'Cry Myself to Sleep'

September 29, 2023

*NSYNC drops new song 'Better Place' from 'Trolls Band Together': Listen here

September 29, 2023

Up Next in Culture—

Toby Keith gives update on stomach cancer battle: 'It's a little bit of a roller coaster'

September 29, 2023

Rob Gronkowski, Camille Kostek compete in live ice bath challenge to raise $20K for charity

September 29, 2023

Hear Wynonna Judd and Trisha Yearwood's reimagined version of 'Cry Myself to Sleep'

September 29, 2023

*NSYNC drops new song 'Better Place' from 'Trolls Band Together': Listen here

September 29, 2023

The latest lifestyle and entertainment news and inspiration for how to live your best life - all from Good Morning America.
  • Contests
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Children’s Online Privacy Policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • About Nielsen Measurement
  • Press
  • Feedback
  • ABC News
  • ABC
  • All Videos
  • All Topics
  • Sitemap

© 2023 ABC News
  • Privacy Policy— 
  • Your US State Privacy Rights— 
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy— 
  • Interest-Based Ads— 
  • Terms of Use— 
  • Do Not Sell My Info— 
  • Contact Us— 

© 2023 ABC News