TIME100 honoree Dwyane Wade credits daughter Zaya for helping him and Gabrielle Union 'see life differently'
Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade are proud to be part of this year's TIME100 list, but they also find it a bit "weird" when it comes to why they're included.
"We're still kind of getting used to being recognized for doing things that have really kind of come naturally like loving your kids as they are," Union, 47, told "Good Morning America." "It's just weird to get credit for that."
The couple, who have been outspoken on issues surrounding the Black Lives Matter movement, made headlines earlier this year when the former NBA player's daughter, Zaya, came out as transgender.
"When you are in the fight for equality, you have to embrace every life as being worthy of and deserving of equality," Union declared. "You can't pick and choose."
Tarana Burke, who profiled the couple for Time, wrote, "Your commitment to authenticity is without compromise."
Union, for one, credits her age for being able to live up to those powerful words.
"I hit my 40s and I was like, 'I'm gonna live my own life, and I'm going to speak truth to power every chance I get,'" she noted.
Plus, they have learned a lot from Zaya, who turned 13 during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"She's helped us see, you know, life differently, and I'm thankful for her," Wade, 38, said. "She’s allowed me to be informed where I can help, you know, in the same process."
"Right now it's a lot of people in the Black community that that will not accept someone of transgender, you know, and look at them as different and not worthy," he added. "Not worthy of life."
Union said some people "needed to see other families just love their children out loud, unapologetically."
Wade admitted he is still evolving, explaining, "I think I'm finding my voice, continuing to let everyone know that I am not perfect. I do not know everything, but I lead with my heart. I lead with love."
As for what's next for them, the "Being Mary Jane" star said it's her and the three-time NBA champ's goal to "be of service to anyone that is in need."
"But also therapy. Oh, a lot of therapy," Wade admitted. "When you are of service, you deal with a lot of things outside of dealing with just yourself. So if you don't deal with yourself first, you have no chance of leading."
Tune in for ABC's TIME100 special Tuesday at 10 p.m. ET, following "Dancing With the Stars."
