For those of you who don't know, March is a very meaningful month for members of the transgender community: March 31st is Transgender Day of Visibility, an opportunity to celebrate and encourage transgender and non-binary people, and raise awareness of the ongoing discrimination that transgender and non-binary communities face.
Related article
Dwyane Wade defends transgender community with daughter Zaya at Met Gala: 'We're going to focus on acceptance'
There are currently bills being debated across the country that would cause immeasurable harm to transgender and nonbinary people, especially transgender and nonbinary youth. So when celebrities who have seen firsthand how amazing and wonderful transgender and nonbinary kids are step up to share their love and admiration, it makes a huge difference. We're shining the spotlight on celebrity parents who have consistently shown their support for transgender and nonbinary kids. You'll be enthralled by what they have to say.
Many famous parents, including Jamie Lee Curtis, Dwyane Wade, and Gabrielle Union, have opened up and used their huge platforms to shine a spotlight on the transgender and non-binary community and the courage of their children to live their most authentic lives. Other celebrity parents, like Cher and Marlon Wayans, have spoken very openly about the initial prejudice and fears they faced when their children transitioned. But at the end of the day, there's no denying how much these parents love their children and want them to live life to the fullest.
As we shine a spotlight on and pay tribute to the transgender and non-binary community, reading about these celebrity parents and the love they have for their kids will make your day – and we do!
-
Sting
Image: Kristin Callahan/Everett Collection
Sting is the father of six and has a non-binary child, Elliot Sumner, with wife Trudie Styler, who works in the entertainment industry alongside his father.
In a 2015 interview, Elliott said he would rather be called a musician than either gender.
“I don't believe in any designations,” they say. “I think I've always been trying to figure out who I am, but I don't think anyone should feel pressured to be labeled or tagged in any way. We should treat everyone equally. I don't like being pressured into being a certain thing. We're all human.”
-
Jamie Lee Curtis
Image credit: Alberto Rodriguez/GA/The Hollywood Reporter via Getty Images.
Oscar-winner Jamie Lee Curtis is the proud mother of daughter Ruby. On Transgender Visibility Day 2023, the actress penned a heartfelt note of support on Instagram, writing, “Love is love. A mother's love knows no prejudice. As a mother, I fully support my children as they move forward in the universe as their true selves, with their own minds, bodies and ideas. On this Transgender Visibility Day, my daughter and I will be visible. #transvisibilityday.”
-
Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union
Image courtesy of Rich Fury/Getty Images for Gucci.
Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union have been open about their support, love and admiration for Wade's daughter, Zaya, who he shares with ex-wife Theo Vaughn L. Funches. Over the past few years, Wade and Union have taken every opportunity to express how proud they are of Zaya.
“I've just sat back and watched how gracefully you've endured public scrutiny,” Wade told her daughter in her NAACP President's Award acceptance speech, published in The Union magazine. “And I know it hasn't been easy, but I've watched you walk out the door every morning, true to yourself. I admire how you've dealt with the ignorance of this world. I admire what you face every day. To say your village is proud of you is an understatement.”
Union added, “First, the intersection of Black rights and the rights of LGBTQIA, transgender, and gender non-conforming people remains an understatement even as we loudly demand equality. We consistently fail to extend support to protect the most vulnerable among us.” Whether it's a moving tribute like this or a moment of support on the red carpet, Wade and Union have unconditional love for Zaya.
-
Cher
Image courtesy of Kevin Mazur/WireImage.
Cher has been very open about how she initially reacted to her son Chaz Bono's gender transition, saying: She Knows In 2020, she said, “It took a while, because you've had 40 years with your kid and then all of a sudden… But guess what? Chaz was so happy!”
The actress and singer said she used a simple analogy to understand her son's experience and speak to other parents of transgender children: “When you wake up in the morning and you're not you anymore, and you don't feel like you, and you can't be yourself, you just feel devastated. So I just want to say to mothers and fathers, you are you, but what would it feel like if you were someone else and you couldn't be that someone? That's what I had to understand. And, you know, I didn't do it well at first, so I don't want to take too much credit, but now it's amazing.”
-
Jennifer Lopez
Image courtesy of Kevin Mazur/Getty Images.
In June 2022, Lopez introduced one of her twins, Emme Maribel Muniz, at a concert using gender-neutral pronouns. “The last time we performed together was in a big stadium like this,” Lopez said. CNN“And I always ask them to sing along, and they don't.”
Lopez called the moment “a very special occasion,” saying, “They're so busy, and they're booked up, and they're expensive,” she said. “It costs money when they come out, but they're my favorite duet partners ever, so every penny counts.” Lopez has yet to confirm how Emme feels about it, as she tries to keep her kids' lives as private as possible, but this could have been her own way of showing her support for Emme.
-
Cynthia Nixon
Image courtesy of John Nacion/Getty Images.
In 2018, Cynthia Nixon showed her love and support for her son Seph with a touching tribute on Instagram: “I am so proud of my son Samuel Joseph Mozes (who we call Seph) who graduated from college this month. Salute to him and all who celebrate his graduation today.” [Trans Day of Action]”,” her caption read.
-
Dean McDermott
Image credit: Gregg DeGuire/FilmMagic.
Actor Dean McDermott gave his child a very sweet shout-out during a screening of his film. My fake boyfriend It's set to be released in June 2022. “What I love about the movie is that I got to watch it with my 15-year-old son, who identifies as transgender, and my gay son,” McDermott said, “and I'm glad there's a place where they can come and see this movie and feel safe.”
-
Annette Bening and Warren Beatty
Image courtesy of Kevin Winter/Getty Images.
In 2019, Annette Bening gushed about her son, Steven, with Warren Beatty, who began his gender transition at age 14. “He did something very difficult with great style and great intelligence,” she said. AARP“He's an eloquent and thoughtful person and I'm very proud of him,” she added.
In 2016, Beatty called Stephen a “hero.” Vanity Fair“He's a revolutionary, a genius and my hero, as are all my children.”
-
Ally Sheedy
Image courtesy of Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images.
In January 2022, actress Ally Sheedy spoke about life with her son, Beckett. “He's very independent,” she said. people“But I'm always happy to help out when I can, whether it's just advice or if you need a new mattress!”
-
Marlon Wayans
Image courtesy of Amy Sussman/Getty Images.
Comedian Marlon Wayans also spoke of his respect and love for his son Kai: “It's not a change in her or him or them, it's a change in me as a parent, from ignorance and denial to total unconditional love and acceptance,” he said in an interview. CBS News“I think there are a lot of parents who need to get this message,” he added.
Wayans continued, “As a parent, I want my kids to be free. Free in spirit, free in thought, free to be themselves. The more they live their truth, the happier their existence is.”
-
Sade
Image courtesy of Ethan Miller/Getty Images.
Singer Sade's son has been documenting his progress on social media, showing just how supportive his mom is with an emotional shout-out. “Thank you for being there for me these past six months, Mom. Thank you for fighting alongside me until I became a complete man,” he said on social media. people“Thank you for loving me and encouraging me in difficult times. The purest heart. I love you so much. Queen of queens.”
-
Marcia Gay Harden
Image credit: Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for ELLE.
Oscar-winning actress Marcia Gay Harden expressed her love for her three children during the May 2023 episode of “Drugs Isn't Dangerous.” “My driving force is that my kids are all queer. My oldest is non-binary. My son is gay. My youngest is fluid. And they're my kids, and they teach me every single day,” she said. people.
-
Khary Payton
Image courtesy of Timothy Norris/Getty Images.
June 2020, the walking dead Actor Khary Payton posted a touching tribute to her son on Instagram, writing, “This is my child. One of the happiest, most well-adjusted people I know. My son, Carter. I gave Carter a K because it reminded me of my name. It was his choice. He was born female but always identified as a boy,” Payton wrote.
“He thought it would be cool if I announced it on social media. I told him I would have a lot of supporters but also a lot of haters with harsh opinions. He said, 'Yes, Dad, I know the trolls. I can handle them.' There's nothing more beautiful than watching your child find joy in exploring what it means to be true to himself. This is his journey and I support him on it. I hope you all have the opportunity to feel the endless love I feel right now.”
