Zaya Wade has opened up about the dynamics of dating with Dwyane Wade as her father.

In an interview with Seventeen, the 17-year-old transgender model and LGBTQ advocate discussed the contrasting approaches of her father and stepmother, Gabrielle Union, when it comes to her romantic relationships. While both parents are supportive, Zaya described Union's enthusiastic interest in her dating life, which differs from her father's more protective stance.

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"Me and my stepmom love to dish the dirt and tap into the high school gossip. She gets excited for me when I’m like, 'Oh, I like this person,'" Zaya shared. However, she noted that Dwyane Wade takes a more cautious approach. "Although, my dad…he tries to scare any person I have interest in. He’s kind of intimidating," she admitted.

Zaya explained that her dates are often initially intimidated by her father's physical presence and deep voice. "He’s gigantic and he has this deep, booming voice," she said. "But the facade only lasts for so long and you actually see his real personality. He’s a teddy bear."

Despite his protective nature, Dwyane Wade has been a strong advocate for Zaya, particularly in her journey as a transgender woman. Last year, they launched "Translatable," an online "safe space" for queer, transgender, and gender non-binary youth.

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Dwyane Wade has emphasized the importance of creating an environment where his children feel comfortable communicating with him. "You will hope as a parent that your kids feel comfortable to communicate with you when they're confused and they're looking for answers," he said. "Whatever it is they are experiencing, that they feel comfortable enough to express those things to you. You won't want it to be someone else. At the end of the day, they're your kids. But you have to create the environment for that."

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