As public scruity over Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union’s decision to support their transgender daughter Zaya continues, Empire star Serayah offered up her thoughts on the couple’s decision via her Instagram story.
In a series of clips posted earlier in the week on her Instagram story, Serayah said that her main issue with Zaya’s transition was her age —Zaya is currently 12-years-old. “I think everything is a little bit too premature,” she said. “I don’t care if you’re boy or a girl, for me, there’s other things we need to be worried about at this time.”
In explaining that logic, Serayah, 24, spoke about how she thought young kids should be figuring out “what do you want to do in life” and “activities” to participate in, rather than making big decisions about who they are as people. “Let’s not jump to a life changing decision that can never be undone. That’s really serious.”
The actress and singer also said she felt Zaya is likely going through a phase, said that its Wade and Union’s responsibility to hold her back from making those decisions. “There are so many others things around that in society that is pressuring children and parents to be a certain type of way,” she said. “Let’s just take back the reins, it’s OK. But right now, let’s not go there right now. Let’s wait till you get a little bit older, and this is exactly what you want to be and do for the rest of your life.”
Many on Twitter quickly pointed out that it sounded like, as with previous controversial statements from rappers Boosie Badazz and Young Thug, Serayah was equating coming out as trans with gender confirmation surgery, which neither Wade nor Union have spoken about — the couple have said they were supporting their daughter in identifying as a young woman and changing her pronouns.
Check out the clips from Serayah’s Instagram story below:
This just made me mad pic.twitter.com/kKerutRVkN
— ?XII.VIII.MCMXCIV? (@forevrblushing) February 19, 2020
[via Billboard]
